Knights no longer perfect in the playoffs

The London Knights defeated Saginaw 7-3 on May 1, 2024. (Source: London Knights/X)

Sam O'Reilly scored twice and added two assists as the visiting London Knights defeated the Saginaw Spirit 7-3 on Wednesday to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven OHL Western Conference final series.

Sam Dickinson, Landon Sim, Oliver Bonk, Easton Cowan and Isaiah George (empty net) also scored for the Knights, who led 2-1 after the first period and 4-3 heading into the third.

Calem Mangone, Jorian Donovan and Owen Beck scored for the Spirit, who will be the host team for the 2024 Memorial Cup that runs from May 24 to June 2 at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw.

The Spirit outshot the Knights 37-28 and went 2-for-6 on the power play. The Knights went 1-for-2 with the man advantage.

The Knights opened the series with a pair of 3-1 wins at home, then lost Game 3 on Monday in Saginaw 6-2.

Game 5 is Friday at the Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 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 – Friday, May 3rd at London, 7:00pm*

Game 6 – Sunday, May 5th at Saginaw, 2:00pm*

Game 7 – Monday, May 6th at London, 7:00pm*

* if necessary