Knights playoff preview: London vs. Owen Sound

Knight Watch: Can London recapture their hot play from earlier in the year to make a lengthy playoff run? Columnist Jake Jeffrey previews the Knights’ series against the Attack — and the rest of the OHL’s first-round matchups …

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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The London Knights added another Midwest Division banner to their collection but fell just short of first place in the Western Conference, setting up a first round playoff matchup with the Owen Sound Attack.

Which Knights team will show up for the postseason?

London won just five of their last 13 games, including their final two regular season contests. Prior to that, though, the team had won 12 of 13 during an impressive winning stretch. In other words, they’re more than capable of getting on a roll — it just hasn’t been the case since the team’s lengthy eight-game road trip in February.

Before delving into London’s first round matchup, highlighting some individual performers from the regular season is in order …

Brett Brochu finished with 28 wins this season, giving him 89 victories for his OHL career. That places him second on the Knights’ all-time list.

Zach Bowen, meanwhile, capped off an impressive first season with 17 wins and a 3.10 goals-against average, the lowest among rookie netminders. That helped him earn the F.W. ‘Dinty’ Moore Trophy, given to the rookie goalie with the best GAA.

Bowen went on a run of 15 consecutive wins, the second-longest such streak in the past 25 years of OHL history. Bowen was London’s fourth-round pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection last season after going undrafted in 2021. He’s the fifth Knight to win the F.W. ‘Dinty’ Moore Trophy. The most recent was Brett Brochu, who won it in 2019-20.

Logan Mailloux led all OHL defensemen with 25 goals this season, 12 of which were scored on the powerplay. Easton Cowan scored three goals in the final two games to hit the 20-goal mark, making him one of six Knights to score at least 20 goals this season — George Diaco (28), Sean McGurn (27), Logan Mailloux (25), Ruslan Gazizov (23) and Denver Barkey (22). Had he played the entire season, Ryan Winterton was on pace to score 24, as he tallied a dozen goals over 34 games.

Max McCue and Sean McGurn both scored four shorthanded goals in 2022-23, helping London score a league-leading 18 goals while a man down this season. Only two players suited up in all 68 games this season — Easton Cowan and Brody Crane. Oliver Bonk and Sean McGurn played in 67 contests.

The Western Conference was once again quite competitive this year, and every playoff team in the west has a winning record. The last time that happened was during the 2016-17 season.

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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LONDON VS. OWEN SOUND: A BREAKDOWN

George Diaco, Sean McGurn, and Logan Mailloux all enjoyed a fair amount of offensive success against Owen Sound this year. Diaco had two goals and 10 points, McGurn had two goals and nine points, and Mailloux scored once and added seven assists. Oliver Bonk and Max McCue both had a pair of goals and four assists in six games against the Attack.

Owen Sound was a streaky team down the stretch. They won their final two games of the season to move into seventh. Prior to that, they’d won just five of their previous 18 games, with a five-game losing streak and two four-game losing skids during that stretch.

Five of Colby Barlow’s 46 goals this season came against London. The Attack captain led his team with 79 points. He also led the OHL with 12 game-winning goals — including a pair against the Knights this year. Landon Hookey found a groove with Owen Sound, as the Sarnia-born power forward scored 15 goals this season, five of which came against London.

The teams split the season series, each winning three games, but London should have an edge in their first round matchup. This series may go five or six, but I think the Knights come out on top in this one.

Special Teams:

Power Play: London 21.3% (10th), Owen Sound 19.5% (17th)
Penalty Kill: London 78.9% (6th), Owen Sound 77.1% 

Goals For: LDN 269 (8th), OS 248 (11th)
Goals Against: LDN 214 (4th), OS 258 (10th)

Season Series:
London 5 @ Owen Sound 7 (Feb. 25)
Owen Sound 1 @ London 9 (Jan. 20) 
Owen Sound 2 @ London 5 (Dec. 16) 
London 4 @ Owen Sound 1 (Nov. 5) 
London 2 @ Owen Sound 7 (Oct. 19) 
Owen Sound 5 @ London 3 (Sep. 30) 

And now …

OHL Playoffs (1st Round) - London Knights (2) vs. Owen Sound Attack (7) (best-of-seven series)
Game 1: Fri. March 31 (7:00pm vs. Owen Sound Attack)
Game 2: Sun. Apr. 2 (2:00pm vs. Owen Sound Attack)
Game 3: Tues. Apr. 4 (7:00pm @ Owen Sound Attack)
Game 4: Thurs. Apr. 6 (7:00pm @ Owen Sound Attack)
Game 5: Fri. Apr. 7 (7:00pm vs. Owen Sound Attack) (if necessary)
Game 6: Sun. Apr. 9 (7:00pm @ Owen Sound Attack) (if necessary)
Game 7: Tues. Apr. 11 (7:00pm vs. Owen Sound Attack) (if necessary)

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

Bryce McConnell-Barker signed his entry level contract with the New York Rangers, A third round pick in last year’s NHL draft, McConnell-Barker captained the Soo Greyhounds this season, leading the team with 30 goals and 77 points. 

Despite having just nine points through 20 games in Barrie, Strathroy’s Hunter Haight drastically picked up the pace after joining Saginaw. The Minnesota Wild prospect had 18 goals and 51 points in 42 games with the Spirit, giving him an overall total of 21 goals and 60 points this season.

Goaltender Michael Simpson had a solid season in Peterborough. He tied for the league lead in shutouts with five, was second in save percentage (.914), and finished third in goals-against average (2.73).

Matthew Jenken scored his first OHL goal in the final game of the season for the Flint Firebirds. The first-year defenceman had a goal and three assists over his final two games.

Charlie Robertson of the North Bay Battalion was named the OHL Rookie of the Month for March. He won all five of his games in the month and picked up a pair of shutouts.

AROUND THE OHL

First round playoff series — and my predictions …

1. Windsor (44-18-4-2) vs 8. Kitchener (33-29-6-0) — Windsor in 5

The Rangers are not your typical 8th seed, but I don't think they’ll have the firepower for another upset this season. They may have knocked off London as a 7th seed last year, but I don’t see a similar upset happening this time around against Windsor. Kitchener certainly has some firepower up front with the Francescos, but I don’t think it will be enough to dethrone the defending Western Conference champs. 

3. Sarnia (41-18-5-4) vs 6. Guelph (35-28-4-1) — Sarnia in 5

The Sting have been one of the hottest teams — if not the hottest — down the stretch. They have solid goaltending, three 40-goal scorers, and plenty of depth. It’s been a while since Sarnia has advanced past the first round, but this should be the year they do it.

4. Saginaw (36-27-3-2) vs 5. Flint (35-28-4-1) — Saginaw in 6

Saginaw got rid of some of their top players, while Flint held on to theirs. This matchup will be the first playoff series for these Michigan rivals. Flint made the conference finals last season, while Saginaw was there in 2019. This is likely the closest series in the West, but I’ll give the edge to Saginaw in this one.

1. Ottawa (51-12-3-2) vs 8. Oshawa (26-36-1-5) — Ottawa in 4

The 67’s were a juggernaut again this season, setting franchise records in wins and points. Separated by 49 points in the standings, this series features the top team in the OHL against the playoff team with the lowest points. It’s a sweep for Ottawa.

2. North Bay (48-17-2-1) vs 7. Mississauga (31-31-6-0) — North Bay in 4

The Battalion didn’t give up much, as only Ottawa allowed fewer than North Bay’s 183 goals against this season. A strong defensive team with some solid offensive depth as well, the Battalion appear to have what it takes for a lengthy run.

3. Barrie (42-17-6-3) vs 6. Hamilton (33-30-5-0) — Barrie in 5

Hamilton has been better than expected since the trade deadline, but I’m not sure they’ll have an answer for the Brandt Clarke show. Sahil Panwar and Nick Lardis have been leading the way for the Bulldogs, but I don’t think it’ll be enough to top the Colts, who won 12 of their final 15 games.

4. Peterborough (35-29-2-2) vs 5. Sudbury (31-28-6-3) — Peterborough in 6

The Wolves had a strong second half, but the Petes have the pieces for a playoff run if they can put them all together. On paper, they’re one of the more skilled teams in the OHL, but they have struggled at times. This will likely be the closest first-round series of the bunch, but I think Peterborough should have enough to get by.