London Knights win second consecutive Wayne Gretzky Trophy as Western Conference Champions
Saginaw, Mich. – Easton Cowan recorded two goals and an assist and Jackson Edward scored the third period game-winner as the London Knights defeated the Saginaw Spirit 4-2 at the Dow Event Center to be crowned Western Conference Champions for the second straight year.
Sam O’Reilly also scored for the Knights while Denver Barkey and Max McCue each had a pair of assists. Michael Simpson made 33 saves in the win as London prevailed despite being outshot 35-26.
The Knights become the first team to win back-to-back Wayne Gretzky Trophies since the franchise last did so in 2012 and 2013.
Not finished. pic.twitter.com/WVnq5hain0
— London Knights (@LondonKnights) May 5, 2024
“We had a total team game going,” said Knights head coach Dale Hunter. “Our big guns came out and played really well and the young guys who came in and filled spots played really well too.”
The Knights opened the West Final with back-to-back 3-1 wins on home ice before the Spirit skated to a 6-2 victory in Game 3. The Knights came back strong, defeating Saginaw 7-3 on the road in Game 4 before the Spirit rallied to defeat London 4-2 at Budweiser Gardens in Game 5. The Knights sealed the deal on Sunday afternoon in mid-Michigan, capturing their eighth Wayne Gretzky Trophy in franchise history.
“I’m really proud of this team, they stuck with it,” said Easton Cowan. “We had guys in and out of the lineup. Everyone was playing different minutes. We had a really good team effort today and I’m really happy with how I played and how our guys played.”
The Knights have eliminated the Flint Firebirds, Kitchener Rangers and Saginaw Spirit and advance to the OHL Championship Series where they’ll face the winner of a Monday night Game 7 between the North Bay Battalion and host Oshawa Generals.
The Saginaw Spirit see their OHL playoff run come to an end as they turn their attention toward preparations for the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow that they’ll host starting May 24th.
The Spirit come off their most successful season in franchise history, playing to a record of 50-16-0-1 with 102 points. They bested the Owen Sound Attack and Soo Greyhounds before coming up short against London.
“I have nothing negative to say about our compete at all,” said Spirit head coach Chris Lazary. “I thought we played our hearts out. We hit a post late and could have tied the game there. We obviously didn’t see it ending today, but it’s not for lack of effort.
THE LONDON KNIGHTS ARE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS!!!!! pic.twitter.com/DmOGGXf2QZ
— London Knights (@LondonKnights) May 5, 2024
“It’s heartbreaking for the players, staff, fans, everybody,” Lazary continued. “This isn’t just the game of hockey for us, it’s our life. When you lose a game like that, if you’ve ever had everything put into one basket like that – it rips your heart out.
“Right now we’re just trying to catch our breath. The job’s not done. We’ve gotta come back and we’ll reset ourselves and we still have something here on the table to play for and the chance to end with this group as champions.”
The Wayne Gretzky Trophy was presented to Knights veterans Max McCue, Isaiah George and Jackson Edward by OHL Vice President Cole Butterworth. The Knights, who come off a fifth straight Midwest Division title this past season, claim the Wayne Gretzky Trophy following previous triumphs in 1999, 2005, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2023.
Wayne Gretzky Trophy 🤝 @LondonKnights
The Knights claim back-to-back Western Conference Championships!#OHLPlayoffs | #LDNvsSAG pic.twitter.com/HKs0XKtSRa
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) May 5, 2024
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