Series HQ: London vs. Oshawa
Game 4: Knights clinch their fifth OHL title in franchise history
London 7 at Oshawa 1 – London wins series 4-0
- A big night from all of London’s top players help lead them to a dominant road victory to clinch their fifth J. Ross Robertson Cup title in franchise history (2005, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2024), as well as their sixth Memorial Cup appearance
- Easton Cowan led the way with a four point night, tallying a goal and three helpers; Cowan finishes the playoffs with 34 points (10-24-34) in 18 games, winning the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as playoff MVP
- Kasper Halttunen (2-1-3), Denver Barkey (1-2-3) and Jackson Edward (0-3-3) all had three point games for the Knights
- Ruslan Gazizov, Sam Dickinson and William Nicholl also had goals for London
- Colorado Avalanche prospect Calum Ritchie scored the lone goal for the Generals with 47 seconds remaining in the first period
- Michael Simpson stopped 25-of-26 to earn his 15th win of the playoffs; Simpson also became the third goalie to win back-to-back OHL titles with two different teams after Adam Dennis (2004/2005) and Josh Unice (2008/2009)
- The Knights went 3-for-4 on the power play, while holding Oshawa to 0-for-4; They finished the playoffs with the top ranked power play (36.9%) and penalty kill (83.3%)
- London’s 31 goals are the most scored by a single team during the OHL Championship Series since the 1999 Belleville Bulls scored 35 goals in seven games
- The Knights goal differential of 22 in the series also ties the 1945 Toronto St. Michael’s Majors for the largest in a four game series by any J. Ross Robertson Cup champion
- London was without Kaleb Lawrence and Landon Sim, who were serving the final game of their five game suspension
- Oshawa remained without NHL Draft eligible forward Beckett Sennecke, who missed the entire series due to injury
- Generals overagers Connor Lockhart, Stuart Rolofs and Connor Punnett appeared in the final OHL game
- 6,081 witnessed the game firsthand at the Tribute Communities Centre
- London returns to action on Saturday May 25th, when they take on the QMJHL champion Drummondville Voltigeurs in Saginaw
Game Centre & Highlights | Oshawa Recap
Next stop: The Memorial Cup 🏆
The @Londonknights claim their fifth J. Ross Robertson Cup title!
⁰#OHLChampionship | #LDNvsOSH pic.twitter.com/yoJTb7FA5U— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) May 16, 2024
Game 3: Brzustewicz scores in double overtime to complete Knights comeback
London 7 at Oshawa 6 (2OT) – London leads series 3-0
- Rookie defenceman Henry Brzustewicz scored two minutes into the second overtime to complete the comeback for the Knights, who were down 6-2 going into the third period
- San Jose Sharks prospect Kasper Halttunen led the surge for London, scoring three goals and adding a helper; it marks his second straight hat-trick
- Halttunen is the second Knights player to pick up back-to-back hat-tricks this postseason; Jacob Julien accomplished the feat in their second round series against Kitchener
- Halttunen’s 15 goals are a new OHL record for playoff goals by an import player
- Oliver Bonk (1-2-3) and Easton Cowan (0-3-3) each picked up three points
- 2024 NHL Draft prospects Sam Dickinson and Sam O’Reilly also scored for London
- Calum Ritchie and Dylan Roobroeck each put up a goal and three assists for the Generals, earning first and second star respectably for their efforts
- Connor Lockhart and blueliner Luca D’Amato both had two goal nights for the home team
- Owen Willmore earned his first win of the playoffs, stopping all 17 shots after entering the contest in the third period in relief of starter Michael Simpson; Willmore’s only other postseason win came against Peterborough in the 2023 OHL Championship Series
- The Knights outshot the Gens 44-to-36
- London went 3-for-7 on the power play, while holding Oshawa to 1-for-6
- Matthew Buckley and Connor Punnett both returned to the lineup for the Generals, while Beckett Sennecke still remains out
- A Monday night sold-out crowd of 5,939 packed the Tribute Communities Centre for Game 3
- The Knights comeback is the biggest of its kind in OHL Championship Series history since Game 3 of the 1991 Final when Sault Ste. Marie overcame a 5-1 deficit against Oshawa; Jason Denomme scored the OT winner in a 6-5 final at Sault Memorial Gardens and the Greyhounds won the series in six games
- London has a chance to clinch their fifth J. Ross Robertson Cup on Wednesday night
Game Centre & Highlights | London Post-Game: Hunter & Brzustewicz | Oshawa Recap | Oshawa Post-Game: Laxdal & Ritchie
Scoring 5⃣ unanswered goals to grab a 3-0 series lead!
The @LondonKnights were victorious in Oshawa on Monday night in double overtime! #OHLChampionship | #LDNvsOSH pic.twitter.com/5RmWpAL3i7
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) May 14, 2024
Game 2: Halttunen buries hat-trick as Knights rout Generals
London 9 vs. Oshawa 1 – London leads series 2-0
- San Jose Sharks prospect Kasper Halttunen scored a hat-trick and added an assist as the Knights were rolling once again
- London’s 17 goals in the first two games of the series are the most by one team in the OHL Finals since the 1984 Ottawa 67’s, who scored 18 in Games 1 and 2
- Philadelphia Flyers prospect Denver Barkey finished with a goal and three assists while Oliver Bonk had three helpers
- Easton Cowan had a goal and two assists while Max McCue scored a highlight reel lacrosse goal
- 15 of London’s 18 skaters recorded a point in the win
- Draft eligible blueliner Ben Danford scored Oshawa’s lone goal
- London outshot Oshawa 39-22, going 4-for-8 on the power play
- Michael Simpson stopped 16-of-17 for the win before being lifted in the third period for precautionary reasons
- A sold out crowd of 9,036 took in Game 2 at Budweiser Gardens
Game Centre & Highlights | London Post-Game: Hunter & Halttunen | Oshawa Post-Game: Laxdal & Rolofs
Home cooking sure was good to the @LondonKnights!
The Knights will leave the House of Green with a 2-0 series lead as the series shifts to Oshawa.#OHLChampionship | #LDNvsOSH pic.twitter.com/2srTSf42D3
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) May 12, 2024
Game 1: Cowan piles on the points in Knights rout over Oshawa
London 8 vs. Oshawa 1 – London leads series 1-0
- A five-point night from Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan (1-4-5) led the charge for London as they kick off the series on a high note
- Cowan’s five points are the most by a Knights player in a playoff game since Mitch Marner and Matthew Tkachuk both registered five in 2016
- Oliver Bonk and Ruslan Gazizov each scored two goals for the Knights
- Jacob Julien (1-2-3) and Sam Dickinson (0-3-3) each chipped in with three point efforts
- Jared Woolley and Denver Barkey also added a goal and an assist for London
- Michael Simpson made 24 saves to earn the win
- Connor Lockhart scored the lone Generals goal, ending Simpson’s shutout bid with 18 seconds remaining in the second period
- London outshot Oshawa 41-25
- The Knights went a perfect 2-for-2 on the power play, while shutting down the Generals on all three of their attempts on the man advantage
- Sawyer Boulton returned to the Knights lineup after serving a two game suspension
- Beckett Sennecke, Connor Punnett and Matthew Buckley remain out for the Generals lineup with injuries
- Landon Sim and Kaleb Lawrence were out for London, each serving their second game of a five game suspension
- A sold-out crowd of 9,036 packed Budweiser Gardens for this Thursday night matchup
Game Centre & Highlights | London Recap | London Post-Game: Hunter & Cowan | Oshawa Recap | Oshawa Post-Game: Laxdal & Lockhart
The @LondonKnights came to play!
The Knights had 7⃣ players register multi-points and take a 1-0 series lead! #OHLChampionship | #LDNvsOSH pic.twitter.com/ZgQwW5eIdQ
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) May 10, 2024
(1) London Knights (50-14-1-3) vs. (1) Oshawa Generals (40-19-7-2)
London series preview | Oshawa series preview
Two historic franchises meet in the OHL Playoffs for the very first time with the J. Ross Robertson Cup on the line
Get ready for an epic clash as the top two teams from each conference go head-to-head in the 2024 OHL Championship Series for the coveted J. Ross Robertson Cup! The stage is set for a thrilling battle of the best as the series kicks off with Game 1 at Budweiser Gardens this Thursday.
With both teams clinching the top spots in their respective conferences, the London Knights and the Oshawa Generals clashed only twice in February, with the matchups resulting in a dead-even split. This series marks the first time in their decorated team histories that the Knights and the Generals have crossed paths in the playoffs, guaranteeing a memorable battle that will resonate through the ages.
Crowned Western Conference champions for the second consecutive year, the London Knights step onto a familiar stage, determined to rebound from last season’s Championship setback, where they fell 4-2 to the Peterborough Petes.
Having secured the Hamilton Spectator Trophy as regular season champions, the Knights have reaffirmed their dominance, cruising through consecutive first and second round series sweeps against the Flint Firebirds and Kitchener Rangers. Their journey continued with a hard-fought six-game series victory over the Memorial Cup host Saginaw Spirit, solidifying their quest for redemption.
“We’re looking forward to Games 1 and 2 here in London. We want to win, especially after what happened last year. We’re here again, they have great fans and so do we, it should be a great series,” said Knights veteran Max McCue.
Looking to clinch their first OHL title since 2016, the Knights maintain their focus as they commence the series at home this Thursday.
“It’s great hockey out there, both teams are here for a reason. Both teams have good players who executed well in order to make it to the Championship Series, it’s going to be really fun to watch,” said Knights head coach Dale Hunter.
Looking to clinch back-to-back Championship titles, former 2023 OHL Champion Michael Simpson continues to shine as a standout presence in the Knights’ crease. His steadfast performance has been instrumental in driving the team defensively, propelling London to success. The hometown product has been a pillar of strength, appearing in all 14 playoff games thus far. Last season, he played a pivotal role in eliminating London with the Petes at this stage. With an impressive 12-2 playoff record, Simpson holds a 2.59 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage.
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan, recently honoured with the Red Tilson Trophy as the League’s Most Outstanding Player in the regular season, has been a dependable force for the Knights throughout the playoffs. He leads his team with an impressive 19 points (7-12-19) in 14 games played. Meanwhile, seasoned veteran Max McCue has showcased unwavering leadership, tallying 17 points (2-15-17) during the post-season.
In his OHL Playoffs debut, CHL Import Draft pick and San Jose Sharks prospect Kasper Halttunen has also been nothing short of exceptional. He ranks first among all Knights goal-scorers and fifth in the OHL Playoffs with nine goals in 14 games played.
Kaleb Lawrence and Landon Sim remain sidelined for the Knights, with four games remaining in their respective five-game suspensions.
On the opposing side, the Generals surge into the OHL Championship Series with momentum on their side. Their path to the Finals was paved with hard-fought victories, including a thrilling Game 7 triumph over the North Bay Battalion in the Eastern Conference Final. Prior to that, they dominated the Ottawa 67’s (4-0) and overcame the Barrie Colts (4-2) in the opening two rounds of the Playoffs.
“I thought the guys did a great job of coming home from North Bay after Game 6, resetting themselves and getting ready for Game 7. They did a great job of using our crowd and finishing off the series to make it here. It was a great feeling but it’s in the past now, we’re looking forward to the next challenge ahead,” said Generals head coach Derek Laxdal.
The Generals will now look to win a 14th J. Ross Robertson Cup. Their 13 titles are the most in OHL history with their latest coming in 2015.
“It’s every player’s dream to play in a championship, and for this to be my final year and get that chance, it’s awesome. We’ve had a great playoff run so far and we still have a job to get done here. London’s a great team and we’re going to have to bring our best game in order to beat them,” said Generals captain Stuart Rolofs.
The Generals showcase an impressive offensive roster, with three of the League’s top five post-season point leaders on their squad, solidifying their reputation as a scoring force.
Ranked second among post-season point-getters, Colorado Avalanche prospect Calum Ritchie has been a standout performer, notching an impressive 25 points (6-19-25) in 17 playoff appearances. Following closely behind, top 2024 NHL Draft prospect Beckett Sennecke has showcased his scoring abilities with 10 goals and 12 assists, accumulating 22 points. Adding to their offensive arsenal, towering 6-foot-7 New York Rangers prospect Dylan Roobroeck has been a dominant force, contributing 21 points (10-11-21) to propel his team into the Championship.
However, it’s not just their offense that sets them apart. OHL Goaltender of the Year Jacob Oster has been an unforgettable presence between the pipes for Oshawa, ranking second in playoff goals-against with an impressive 2.29 average and boasting a .923 save percentage, underscoring his importance to the team’s success.
Laxdal was brief in his assessment of recent injuries to Sennecke, fellow forward Matthew Buckley and physical defender Connor Punnett, opting not to delve into those details prior to the series.
Get your tickets to see who will be crowned 2024 OHL Champions! You can catch every thrilling moment of the final series across the country on TSN or by streaming it on OHL Live.
The top seed in each conference advances to the #OHLChampionship Series!
It's @LondonKnights and @Oshawa_Generals, starting Thursday in London. Watch #LDNvsOSH on TSN and #OHL Live 📺🖥️📱 pic.twitter.com/Ca1ZwJvr6A
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) May 7, 2024
Series Schedule:
Game 1 – Thursday, May 9th at London, 7:00pm / TSN 3
Game 2 – Saturday, May 11th at London, 7:00pm / TSN 3 & NHL Network (USA)
Game 3 – Monday, May 13th at Oshawa, 7:00pm / TSN 3
Game 4 – Wednesday, May 15th at Oshawa, 7:00pm / TSN 3
Game 5 – Friday, May 17th at London, 7:00pm* / TSN 5
Game 6 – Sunday, May 19th at Oshawa, TBD* / TSN 3
Game 7 – Tuesday, May 20th at London, TBD* / TSN 1/3/4/5
*- if necessary
Season Series:
Series tied 1-1
Feb. 11 – LDN 4 at OSH 3 OT
Feb. 28 – OSH 6 at LDN 4
Playoff History:
This will be London and Oshawa’s first meeting in the OHL Playoffs.