Knights outscore Generals 17-2 overall to take 2-0 series lead heading to Oshawa

It’s been an offensive clinic by the London Knights through the first two games of the OHL Championship Series.

“We’re playing as a team, moving the puck well and playing good defence,” London head coach Dale Hunter said in a post-game media conference.

Dale is often a man of few words, but that summed it up perfectly.

A 9-1 win over the Oshawa Generals Saturday night at Budweiser Gardens followed up an impressive 8-1 win Thursday as London has taken a 2-0 series lead.

It has left the Generals searching for answers, having been forced to pull OHL goaltender of the year Jacob Oster in both games.

“I told the kids don’t worry about the scores…we’re down 2-0 in the series,” said Derek Laxdal, Generals head coach who hopes to get some of his injured players back Monday for game three. “It’s tough to watch them go through that. At the end of the day, these are kids. They poured out their hearts to get here and the first two games are gone. We’ll pick ourselves up and get ready for Monday.”

London’s Kasper Halttunen scored three times Saturday.

“I’m playing with good guys, and they can make plays,” said the San Jose Sharks second round draft pick.

He added it’s tough to defend them with the man advantage as they have so many weapons.

“We’ve been working on it all year,” he said. “There is five good guys and we have so many ways to score.”

The main highlight in the game came with London already leading 7-0. Max McCue picked up the pick on his blade behind the net, and wrapped around the net with a ‘Michigan goal.’

Halttunen said he’s never been able to perfect it, but Hunter joked that it isn’t without trying.

“Everybody practises it,” Hunter laughed. “Everybody wants to do it.”

Game three is Monday night in Oshawa.

“We’ve dug ourselves a hole here, and we need to show what type of team we are here in the next few days,” said Stuart Rolofs, captain of the Generals.

 

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 - 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*