London Knights open Memorial Cup with a shutout victory

The London Knights beat Drummondville 4-0 in their opening game of the Memorial Cup on May 25, 2024. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)

A dream start for the London Knights at the 2024 Memorial Cup tournament.

London shutout Drummondville 4-0 Saturday afternoon to get their first victory, and guarantee at least a playoff spot in the Canadian Hockey League championship tournament.

Ruslan Gazizov scored twice, and Michael Simpson made 31 saves for the shutout for the winners.

Gazizov opened the scoring 8:04 into the first period with what turned out to hold up as the game winning goal, and he added another 20 seconds into the third period.

It was Simpson who was the difference maker however, with a few key stops mid-way through the second period as the Voltigeurs were charging hard and putting on the pressure after a slow start.

Kasper Halttunen and Oliver Bonk also scored for London.

The Knights will play their second game of the tournament Monday night against Moose Jaw, while Drummondville (0-1) will play Sunday evening against Saginaw (1-0).

 

Round 1 schedule

(1) London Knights vs. (8) Flint Firebirds

Game 1: Fri., March 29 – London 3 Flint 0

Game 2: Sun., March 31 – London 6 Flint 4

Game 3: Tues., April 2 – London 4  Flint 3

Game 4: Thurs., April 4 – London 3 Flint 2

 

Round 2 schedule

(1) London Knights vs. (4) Kitchener Rangers

Game 1 – London 5 Kitchener 3

Game 2 – London 5 Kitchener 1

Game 3 – London 6 Kitchener 4

Game 4 – London 4 Kitchener 3

 

Western Conference Championship Series

(1) London Knights vs. (2) Saginaw Spirit

Game 1 – London 3 Saginaw 1 

Game 2 – London 3 Saginaw 1

Game 3 – Saginaw 6 London 2

Game 4 – London 7 Saginaw 3

Game 5 – Saginaw 4 London 2

Game 6 – London 4 Saginaw 2

 

2024 OHL Championship Series

Game 1 - London 8 Oshawa 1

Game 2 - London 9 Oshawa 1

Game 3 - London 7 Oshawa 6

Game 4 - London 7 Oshawa 1