2016 OHL Western Conference Championship Series Schedule
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the schedule for the 2016 OHL Western Conference Championship Series for the Wayne Gretzky Trophy between the Erie Otters and the London Knights beginning next Wednesday night, April 20, in Erie.
The third round series features the top two teams in the OHL’s Western Conference during the 2015-16 regular season. Both the Otters and Knights finished with 105 points while the Otters gained the edge in wins with an overall record of 52-15-1-0 to the Knights record of 51-14-2-1. The first place Otters earned the Hamilton Spectator Trophy and a second straight Midwest Division title.
In six head-to-head regular season meetings during the 2015-16 campaign the clubs played to even 3-3 records. The showdown for first place in the Western Conference standings came down to the final two games of the regular season schedule with a home-and-home series split including a Knights’ 4-3 win in London on March 18, and an Otters home ice win on March 19 by a 4-2 score.
The Otters advanced to the Western Conference Championship Series with a 4-1 series win over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds ending with a 5-2 victory on Friday night. The Knights advanced by way of a 4-0 series win that eliminated the Kitchener Rangers Thursday night with a 6-4 victory.
This marks the first time in OHL Playoffs history the Otters and Knights will go head-to-head for the Wayne Gretzky Trophy. The clubs have met six times in previous playoff matchups including last season in the Western Conference Semi-Final won 4-0 by the Otters. The Knights prevailed 4-1 in the first round of the 2009 post-season, and 4-0 in the second round of the 2004 playoffs. Prior to that the Otters won back-to-back meetings including 4-2 in the second round of the 2002 post-season, and 4-1 in the first round of the 2001 playoffs. The Knights won the first ever playoff matchup between the clubs and only series to go the full seven games during the 1998 first round.
The Western Conference Champion receives the Wayne Gretzky Trophy named in honour of the Hockey Hall of Fame member who played for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 1977-78. Since the two conference division in 1999, the Otters have won the Wayne Gretzky Trophy twice including 2015 and 2002. The Knights have the most Wayne Gretzky Trophy wins with five including 1999, 2005, 2006, 2012, and 2013.
WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Series “G” ERIE (1) vs. LONDON (3):
Game 1, Wed., April 20 London at Erie, 7:00
Game 2, Sun., April 24 London at Erie, 7:00
Game 3, Tues., April 26 Erie at London, 7:00
Game 4, Wed., April 27 Erie at London, 7:00
Game 5, Fri., April 29 London at Erie, 7:00*
Game 6, Sun., May 1 Erie at London, 2:00*
Game 7, Mon., May 2 London at Erie, 7:00*
*if necessary
#ERvsLDN
#OHLPlayoffs
Loading ...
