Knights are Western Conference champs

(Source: London Knights/X)

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan has led the London Knights to the Ontario Hockey League final.

Cowan scored twice and added an assist as London beat the Saginaw Spirit 4-2 on Sunday to win the Wayne Gretzky Trophy as the OHL's Western Conference champions.

London won the best-of-seven series 4-2.

The Knights become the first team to win back-to-back Wayne Gretzky Trophies since the franchise last did so in 2012 and 2013.

“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.”

Sam O'Reilly and Jackson Edward scored the other goals for the Knights, while Michael Simpson made 33 saves for the win.

Joey Willis and Jorian Donovan replied for Saginaw as Nolan Lalonde stopped 22-of-35 shots in net.

Saginaw's OHL playoff run came to an end, but the Spirit are the host team of the Memorial Cup starting May 24.

Neither team scored on the power play Sunday. London went 0 for 1 with the man advantage and the Spirit were 0 for 3.

The Generals claimed the Bobby Orr Cup as conference winners and will meet the London Knights in the OHL final.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 5, 2024. 

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 - Thursday, May 9th at London, 7:00pm

Game 2 - Saturday, May 11th at London, 7:00pm

Game 3 - Monday, May 13th at Oshawa, 7:00pm

Game 4 - Wednesday, May 15th at Oshawa, 7:00pm

Game 5 - Friday, May 17th at London, 7:00pm*

Game 6 - Sunday, May 19th at Oshawa, Time To Be Confirmed*

Game 7 - Monday, May 20th at London, Time To Be Confirmed*