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Erie Otters Edge London Knights in Season Finale
In an exciting conclusion to the regular season, the Erie Otters defeated the London Knights 6-4 on March 23 at the Erie Insurance Arena. This match marked the end of the Knights’ 2024-25 campaign, as they prepare to face the Owen Sound Attack in the first round of the playoffs on March 28 at Canada Life Place.
Despite missing 11 regular players, the Knights showcased a competitive spirit, with Will Nicholl achieving his first Ontario Hockey League (OHL) hat trick during the game. The Knights are gearing up for post-season action after a challenging end to their regular schedule.
The game was fairly balanced early on, with both teams exchanging power-play goals, leaving the score tied at 1-1 after the first period. The Otters struck first with Dylan Edwards netting his 20th goal of the season just minutes into the game, showcasing a powerful shot from the right circle.
London answered back in dramatic fashion; with only 11 seconds remaining in the opening frame, Nicholl capitalized as he drove to the net searching for a pass to teammate Evan Van Gorp. Instead, the puck found its way into the goal, giving Nicholl his 19th goal of the season.
The Otters broke the tie in the second period with goals from Gabe Frasca and Kayden Edwards, the latter being his first in the OHL, giving Erie a 3-1 advantage. However, London managed to cut the deficit to 3-2 with Noah Read scoring his 10th of the season just before the end of the second period.
Back-and-Forth Action in the Third
The Knights continued their momentum early in the third period, as Nicholl scored again to equalize the score at 3-3, assisted by P.J. Fagan and Jaxon Cover. The game took an exhilarating turn as both teams exchanged goals in rapid succession. Callum Hughes reclaimed the lead for Erie at 4-3, followed shortly by Nicholl completing his hat trick with a well-placed shot from the slot.
The Otters quickly retaliated when Oliver Phillips recorded his first goal in the OHL, solidifying his team’s lead at 5-4. In the closing moments, Pano Fimis sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, bringing his regular season career with Erie to a close while also showcasing his impressive faceoff skills.
Knights head coach Dale Hunter was absent for the second straight game due to a minor surgery but is expected to return for the playoffs. The Knights fielded a roster that included several players with limited OHL experience, as they were integrating younger talents into their lineup.
Record-Setting Performances
As the regular season concluded, Sam Dickinson and Denver Barkey of the London Knights reached remarkable milestones. Dickinson became one of only 17 OHL defensemen since 1980 to achieve 90 points in a single season, finishing with 91 points in 55 games, a franchise record for a London defenseman.
Similarly, Barkey, the team captain, set a new record for most short-handed goals in Knights history, scoring his 14th during a game against the Windsor Spitfires earlier in March. Barkey not only led the league in short-handed goals during the 2023-24 season but also finished tied for second this season with five goals.
Alec Leonard Moves to NCAA
Meanwhile, former London Knights defender Alec Leonard has announced his commitment to Bentley University for the upcoming 2025-26 season. After wrapping up his overage year with the Owen Sound Attack, Leonard is set to transition to NCAA hockey. Bentley, having recently clinched their first-ever Atlantic Hockey Championship, will enter the national championship with an exciting new asset.
Looking Ahead
The London Knights are set to launch their post-season campaign on March 28 at 7 p.m. at Canada Life Place. In preparation for the playoffs, fans are encouraged to participate in the “White Out” by wearing white attire. Coverage for the game will commence at 6:30 p.m. on 980 CFPL and various streaming platforms, ensuring that fans can stay connected and support their team as they embark on this critical playoff journey.
Source
globalnews.ca