Knights-Rangers rivalry for Round 2

The top-seeded London Knights will take on the Kitchener Rangers (No. 4) in the OHL’s Western Conference semi-final. What’s in store? Our hockey columnist, Jake Jeffrey, breaks it down …

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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The London Knights and Kitchener Rangers are set to meet in the postseason for the third straight year.

The Rangers upset the Knights in the first round in 2022, but London got some revenge of by winning last year’s quarterfinal series in five games.

This year, London got by Flint in four games in the first round — although the Firebirds put up quite a fight for an eighth seed. All four games were competitive. It was a sweep, yes, but two of the games were decided by a single goal and one game needed overtime.

Ruslan Gazizov, who led the Knights with 36 goals this season, missed the first three games against Flint before returning to the lineup for Game 4. Kasper Halttunen and Kaleb Lawrence both scored three goals in the series, while six Knights players averaged at least a point per game during the first round matchup.

Michael Simpson didn’t post a single shutout during his tremendous playoff run with the Peterborough Petes last season, but he already has one under his belt this year. He made 100 saves in four games against Flint, with his busiest — and best — game being a 34-save performance in the series clincher.

The Rangers are coming off the closest first-round series in the Western Conference, beating Erie in a tight six-game affair that featured three overtime wins for Kitchener. Filip Mesar and Eduard Sale were bright spots offensively. Mesar had a goal and nine assists, while Sale tallied three goals and eight points.

After scoring 52 goals in the regular season, Seattle Kraken prospect Carson Rehkopf scored four goals during the first round, three of which came with the man advantage. Trent Swick, Justin Bottineau and Luke Ellinas were the OT heroes against Erie, with Ellinas scoring the series clincher Tuesday night.

Aylmer’s Cameron Reid had three assists in the first round. The young defenseman, who isn’t eligible until the 2025 draft, just turned 17 on Monday.

Michael Simpson started all four games in London’s first-round sweep of Flint, posting a 2.14 goals-against average and .917 save percentage. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

Looking at the season series, London won four of the six games against Kitchener during the 2023-24 regular campaign, and they were able to keep one of the league’s highest scoring defenseman in check. Only two of Hunter Brzustewicz’s 92 points came against London. Matthew Andonovski, more known for his physical play and strong defensive game, scored three goals against London.

There may be some built up animosity between the two clubs. During their game on Jan 20 that featured six fights, including two during the same stoppage, the two teams combined for 125 penalty minutes. London’s Jackson Edward and Kitchener’s Andonovski both were given game misconducts and received supplemental discipline from the league.

In addition to a busy playoff weekend, the OHL Draft will be held, with the first three rounds going Friday evening, and the remaining rounds happening Saturday. The Windsor Spitfires will get the first overall pick after winning the draft lottery earlier this month. Sarnia will select seventh. The Knights have the 20th overall pick. The last time they were in that draft slot was 2019 when they chose current Oshawa Generals captain Stuart Rolofs.

The Rangers are coming off a 4-2 series win over Erie in the first round of the playoffs. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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OHL Playoffs: Second Round — London Knights (1) vs. Kitchener Rangers (4)

Game 1: Thurs. Apr. 11 (7:00pm @ London)
Game 2: Sat. Apr. 13 (4:00pm @ London)
Game 3: Tues. Apr. 16 (7:00pm @ Kitchener)
Game 4: Thurs. Apr. 18 (7:00pm @ Kitchener)
Game 5: Fri. Apr. 19 (7:00pm @ London) (If necessary)*
Game 6: Sun. Apr. 21 (2:00pm @ Kitchener) (If necessary)*
Game 7: Tues. Apr. 23 (7:00pm @ London) (If necessary)*

A LOOK AT THE LOCALS

Soo Greyhounds captain Bryce McConnell-Barker scored two goals and added six assists to help his Hounds to a first-round sweep over the Guelph Storm.

Owen Van Steensel and the North Bay Battalion needed five games to get by Kingston. The Ilderton product had two goals and eight points in the series.

St. Thomas native and Elgin Middlesex Canucks forward Parker Vaughan won the Alliance Player of the Year award. He will likely be the first local player selected at the OHL draft this weekend. Londoners Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs) and Bryce McConnell-Barker (Soo Greyhounds) won the award in 2023 and 2020, respectively.

KNIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS

16 - Denver Barkey and Easton Cowan led the way for London with 16 shots apiece during their first round series, averaging four per game. Both players scored a pair of goals.

42.8 - Kaleb Lawrence scored three goals during the first round while taking seven shots on goal. That’s good for a 42.8% shooting efficiency.

AROUND THE OHL - PLAYOFFS

Eastern Conference

Oshawa (1) vs. Ottawa (6) -  The 67’s are the lowest seed to get through the first round following their upset over Brantford. They’ll face a red-hot Generals team that was pushed to six games by Barrie. This one may go the distance, and Ottawa may just pull off another upset.

North Bay (2) vs. Sudbury (5) - This one features some good offensive firepower on both sides, with the slight edge going to Sudbury. However, North Bay has a sizable advantage defensively and in net. I think the Battalion are successful and book their third straight trip to the Eastern Conference final.

Western Conference

London (1) vs. Kitchener (4) - These familiar Midwest foes meet in the postseason for the third straight year. If London limits the top guns, and Kitchener doesn’t get secondary offense, it will likely be a similar result as last year when London came out on top. I think the Rangers make this one close but the Knights prevail in six.

Saginaw (2) vs. Sault Ste. Marie (3) - This is the tightest second round matchup on paper. Both of these teams could win the entire thing — but one will fall in the second round. Saginaw will host the Memorial Cup regardless, but the season is on the line for the Soo. I give a slight edge to the Spirit, but this one could be one of the best series of the entire playoffs.