'We believe we’re the strongest team': Knights prepare for long playoff run
Budweiser Gardens is about to be rockin’.
"It's the best time of the year,” said Rick Steadman, Knights assistant coach. “We’ve got the fans coming in and they're going to be loud. It's just an exciting time.”
The Knights slumped down the stretch — which cost them first place in the Western Conference — but with wins Saturday and Sunday they finished second overall.
They now believe the pendulum has swung as they head into their first round playoff series with the seventh-seeded Owen Sound Attack.
“Those two last wins were huge for us,” said Landon Sim, who had 14 goals in 56 games this year for London. “The morale has changed after those wins. We kind of had a rough stretch here last couple of weeks, but that win on Sunday against Kitchener felt awesome.”
“Momentum going into playoffs is huge, and I think we've definitely built some over the past few games,” added Sam Dickinson, a Knights rookie defenceman. “We've played well as a team, we've done the little things right, and we just got to continue to do that into the playoffs.”
In addition, they will carry a bit of swagger too.
“We believe we’re the best team in the league,” said Dickinson. “From the guys up front, to the ‘d’ [defence] and in the net, we believe we're the strongest team.”
In Owen Sound, the Attack are taking on the role of underdog, even though they split the season series with the Knights 3-3.
They were decimated by injuries all season, but are getting healthy at the right time.
“I think with our team we’ve lost probably about 230 or more man games to injury,” said Greg Walters, Attack head coach. “We're slowly getting back here and hoping that we could have a full lineup for the first time in a long time. There's no better place to the play than ‘The Bud’ on Friday night.”
London bowed out in round one last season to Kitchener, which was a huge disappointment to not only the fans, but the entire organization.
“Losing game seven last year was one of the toughest experiences we have ever been through,” said Sim. “We don't want to go through something like that again. So, we have a lot of guys that were in that situation last year. We just kind of want to get some revenge and not let that happen again.”
The Knights host game one Friday and game two on Sunday before the series shifts back to Owen Sound next week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
Soft skills, preparation can help new graduates land jobs, experts say
As new graduates enter the workforce over the next few weeks, they are likely to face challenges getting their foot in the door and must be prepared to effectively communicate what they bring to the company.
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a ploy to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.