Knights one win from Western Conference Final

Knight Watch: Ahead 3-1 in their series vs. Kitchener, London has three chances (if necessary) to punch their ticket to the conference final — for the first time since 2016. Columnist Jake Jeffrey has all the latest — plus notes from around the OHL …

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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A big bounce back game from the Knights Tuesday has them within a win of the Western Conference Final.

Brett Brochu was in top form in London’s 5-0 win on the road Tuesday night, making 25 saves for his third shutout of the playoffs. With the win, the Knights went up 3-1 in their second round playoff series against the Kitchener Rangers.

Brochu wasn’t overly busy, as London kept Kitchener to single digit shot attempts in all three periods, highlighting a solid defensive effort from top to bottom. London returns home for Game 5 Thursday with a chance to clinch the series and advance to their first conference final since 2016.

In beating the Rangers Tuesday, the Knights were able to reclaim the momentum after a lopsided loss in Game 3 in Kitchener, during which the Rangers scored four third-period goals and outshot London 15-8 in the final frame en route to a 6-1 win.

It was a different outcome Tuesday, led in part by Knights co-captain Sean McGurn, who had two more points to give him a team-high 16 in eight playoff games thus far. Last year, the centre had four points in seven playoff contests.

McGurn had a bit of an off night in the faceoff circle in Game 3, winning just four of the 20 draws he took. This, after winning 21 of 27 draws in the first game of the series. Known for his prowess in this area, he was voted in this year’s coaches poll as one of the Western Conference’s top faceoff artists.

Incidentally, faceoffs have been a difference maker at times in this series. The only game that London has lost against Kitchener, in fact, is the only game in which they lost more draws than they won.

Ryan Humphrey is having himself another solid postseason. The forward may have only scored 13 goals during the regular season, but he’s got six goals already through eight games in the playoffs. That includes four in the current Kitchener series (heading into Game 5), during which he’s provided plenty of energy to the lineup.

Humphrey was brought in for that very reason, to provide some additional offensive depth and bring a little sandpaper in the process, and he’s accomplished both so far in the postseason. Connor Federkow has also experienced an offensive surge of sorts in the playoffs, as he has three goals in five games, despite scoring just twice during the entire regular season.

Ryan Humphrey has stepped up his game in the playoffs, tallying six goals and eight points in his first eight games. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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Game 5 goes Thursday night in London. If the Rangers can stay alive, the series would shift back to Kitchener for a Game 6 Sunday. (A Game 7, if necessary, would be back in London next Tuesday).

OHL Playoffs (2nd Round) - London Knights (2) vs. Kitchener Rangers (8) (London leads 3-1)
Game 1: London 5 vs. Kitchener 1
Game 2: London 8 vs. Kitchener 4
Game 3: London 1 @ Kitchener 6
Game 4: London 5 @ Kitchener 0
Game 5: Thurs. Apr. 20 (7:00pm vs. Kitchener Rangers)
Game 6: Sun. Apr. 23 (2:00pm @ Kitchener Rangers) (if necessary)
Game 7: Tues. Apr. 25 (7:00pm vs. Kitchener Rangers) (if necessary)

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

Hunter Haight has three goals and eight points for Saginaw as they look to stay alive in their second round series against Sarnia. 

Michael Simpson made 25 saves Sunday to help Peterborough even up their series with Ottawa at a win apiece. He then made 26 saves Tuesday to backstop his team to another win. He’s allowed two goals or less in five of his seven starts this postseason.

The OHL draft is this weekend, Friday and Saturday (Apr. 21 & 22). Keep an eye out for local players selected in the annual draft. Ryan Roobroeck and Ethan Weir (London Junior Knights) lead a contingent of local U16 players who will see their name called this weekend.

AROUND THE OHL

Second round playoff series …

Peterborough leads Ottawa 2-1

A big 19-shot second period helped Peterborough win Game 3 Tuesday night, giving them a 2-1 series edge over the first place 67’s. After scoring just once through five playoff games, Brennan Othmann has goals in back-to-back contests for the Petes. 

Barrie leads North Bay 2-1

Both of Barrie’s wins in this series have come in overtime, and in both contests the Colts fought back after North Bay had opened the scoring. Brandt Clarke has been held to a single point in each of the first three games in this series.

Sarnia leads Saginaw 3-0

The Sting are a win away from advancing to their first ever conference final. They scored four third-period goals to secure a Game 3 victory Tuesday night. Nolan Burke leads the team with 12 points, while Luca Del Bel Belluz and Sasha Pastujov have tallied 10 points apiece.