Knights conference champs; Lightning open playoffs with win
Gameday in 5: A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (May 1-7) — for London’s teams and athletes.
(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).
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The London Knights are heading back to the OHL final, for the first time since 2016, after beating the Sarnia Sting four games to three in the Western Conference final.
It wasn’t easy, of course. Despite a 2-0 series lead to start the week, the Sting fought back on Tuesday and won Game 3 by a 5-3 margin. After being held to just two goals over the first two games, the Sting didn’t waste any time at home, scoring 27 seconds into Game 3. It wasn’t until the Sting built a 3-0 lead that the Knights were able to respond, with George Diaco bringing the team within two. That’s as close as the Knights would get, though, as the Sting continued to stay a step ahead. Brody Crane and Ryan Winterton scored London’s other two goals in the losing effort.
Wednesday’s game had a similar outcome, as the Sting evened the series at two games apiece with a 6-3 win in Game 4. The Sting got off to another strong start, leading 2-0 before George Diaco got the Knights on the board. Ryan Winterton managed to tie the game at 2 with a powerplay goal late in the first. And then London even took the lead on a Denver Barkey goal midway through the second. But the Sting responded shortly after and went on to score three unanswered goals to finish out the period. A sixth goal in the third sealed the deal.
And then, the Knights bounced back. On Friday back at home, they beat the Sting 5-3 at Budweiser Gardens to take a 3-2 series lead. This time, it was London who scored first, with Ruslan Gazizov, in his return from illness, scoring the icebreaker at the 6:06 mark. After a scoreless second period, the Sting tied the game 40 seconds into the 3rd. The tie was short-lived, however, as Denver Barkey gave the Knights the lead 13 seconds later and then Ryan Winterton scored the eventual game-winner less than a minute later. The Sting added a goal late in the period but never came close to evening things up.
With a chance at moving on to the OHL Final on Sunday in Sarnia, the Knights played one of their best games of the season, beating the Sting 5-1 on the road. After the home side took a 1-0 lead in the first, Denver Barkey tied things up with just one second left in the first period. From there, the Knights took over, scoring four unanswered goals to secure the series win. The Knights spread the offense around with Easton Cowan, Logan Mailloux, Ryan Humphrey and Ryan Winterton all scoring.
Up next:
The Knights, now 12-3 in the postseason, are off to the OHL championship series. They’ll take on the Peterborough Petes, the Eastern Conference champs, who won Game 7 of their series against the North Bay Battalion on Monday night. Action gets underway this Thursday at Bud Gardens.
OHL Playoffs (Championship Final) - London Knights (No. 2 in West) vs. Peterborough Petes (No. 4 in East) (best-of-seven series)
Game 1: Thurs. May 11 (7:00pm vs. Peterborough Petes)
Game 2: Sat. May 13 (2:00pm vs. Peterborough Petes)
Game 3: Mon. May 15 (7:05pm @ Peterborough Petes)
Game 4: Wed. May 17 (TBD @ Peterborough Petes)
Game 5: Fri. May 19 (7:00pm vs. Peterborough Petes) (if necessary)
Game 6: Sun. May 21 (TBD @ Peterborough Petes) (if necessary)
Game 7: Mon. May 22 (TBD vs. Peterborough Petes) (if necessary)
The Lightning began their quest to repeat as National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC) champions last week, and they opened things off with a 110-97 win over the KW Titans in Game 1 of their best-of-three semi-final series.
The Lighting had a strong offensive game, shooting 50.7% as a team. Diego Kapelan led all scorers with 20 points. Marcus Ottey, stepping in for Jermaine Haley Jr., who left with an injury, had a big game, tallying 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Mike Nuga scored 18, while Terry Thomas logged a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
With the two teams tied 24-24 after the first quarter, the Lightning broke away in the second, outscoring the Titans 31-22 to take a nine-point lead into halftime. From there, the Lightning never trailed, and they matched the Titans’ scoring the rest of the way.
Up next:
The Lightning take a 1-0 series lead into Game 2 Tuesday at Budweiser Gardens. The semi-final series then shifts to Kitchener Thursday for Game 3 (and Sunday for a Game 4, if necessary).
NBLC Playoffs (Semi-final) - London Lightning (1) vs. KW Titans (4) (London leads 1-0)
Game 1: London 110 vs. KW 97
Game 2: Tues. May 9 (7:00pm vs. KW Titans)
Game 3: Thurs. May 11 (7:00pm @ KW Titans)
Game 4: Sun. May 14 (7:00pm @ KW Titans) (if necessary)
Game 5: Mon. May 15 (7:00pm vs. KW Titans) (if necessary
The Women’s team played Tecumseh SC to a 2-2 draw on Wednesday. The team got off to a strong start in the first half, with Mackenzie Bilotta putting the team ahead 1-0 in the 28th minute. Tia Schaffer then doubled the lead 10 minutes later to give London a 2-0 lead at halftime. But Tecumseh roared back in the second half, scoring two times themselves to earn a match draw. FC London is now 1-1-1 early in the season.
The Men’s team, meanwhile, suffered their third loss in a row last week, dropping a 2-1 decision to the North Toronto Nitros. After a scoreless first half, Toronto broke through to score in the 65th minute — and then doubled the score 10 minutes later. London responded with a Carson Wood goal, but the team was unable to complete a comeback.
Up next:
Both teams will play their first home games of the season this weekend. It’s a doubleheader on Saturday at Tricar Field …
Women: Sat. May 13 (5:00pm vs. Electric City FC)
Men: Sat. May 13 (8:30pm vs. Simcoe County Rovers FC)
Around the Perimeter: London and KW are the final two teams standing. It’s experience vs. youth; Will Lightning match the Titans’ energy?; Will defense decide this matchup? Read our series preview …