Round One Preview
March 21, 2019 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
London Knights News Release
One of the OHL's classic rivalries, the London Knights and Windsor Spitfires meet in the first round of the 2019 OHL Playoffs.
Two highly athletic brothers square off as London's Liam Foudy (36-32 - 68) lines up across from younger brother Jean-Luc (8-41 - 49) of the Spitfires who led the league in rookie assists.
Featuring a highly mobile blue line with big point producers in captain Evan Bouchard (16-37 - 53) and smooth skating Swede Adam Boqvist (20-40 - 60), the Knights have also proven to be capable on the defensive side, owning the league's top-ranked penalty kill that operated at 85.8%.
Knights overage centreman Kevin Hancock racked up 107 points (52-55 - 107) and led the OHL in shots on goal this season with 329, playing a in league-high 70 games as the result of a mid-season trade from Owen Sound.
As is typically the case, NHL scouts have flocked to London once again this season to get a glimpse of sophomore centreman Connor McMichael who wrapped things up with 72 points (36-36 - 72) over 67 games. McMichael competed in the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game this past January and was the 28th ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting's Midterm Draft Rankings.
The underdog Spits have three holdovers from their 2017 Memorial Cup championship team in captain Luke Boka (12-20 - 32) alongside top scorer Cole Purboo (29-26 - 55) and Vegas Golden Knights prospect Connor Corcoran (10-22 - 32) on the blue line.
The aforementioned Foudy has found success alongside fellow rookie and 26-goal scorer Will Cuylle (26-15 - 41) this past season while third-year forward Tyler Angle (20-24 - 44) and sophomore Daniel D'Amico (21-25 - 46) have also chipped in offensively.
Not a player any defenceman wants to go into the corner with, 6-foot-9, 250Ib. Dallas Stars prospect Curtis Douglas (27-26 - 53) lit the lamp 27 times this season and provides the Spitfires with an imposing presence up front.
This marks the fifth time in the past 11 years that the Knights and Spitfires have met in the OHL Playoffs.
Season Series:
London wins 5-1-0-0
Sept. 21: WSR 2 at LDN 5
Oct. 4: LDN 0 at WSR 2
Nov. 25: LDN 4 at WSR 2
Dec. 28: WSR 6 at LDN 8
Jan. 24: LDN 7 at WSR 3
Jan. 25: WSR 0 at LDN 7
Playoff History:
The London Knights and Windsor Spitfires have an extensive history against each other in the OHL Playoffs. This marks the 11th time the two teams have faced each other.
- 2017 - LDN def. WSR 4-3 - 1st round / 2014 - LDN def. WSR 4-0 - 1st round / 2012 - LDN def. WSR 4-0 - 1st round / 2009 - WSR def. LDN 4-1 - Western Conference Final / 2005 - LDN def. WSR 4-0 - 2nd round / 2004 - LDN def. WSR 4-0 - 1st round / 2003 - LDN def. WSR 4-3 - 1st round / 1991 - WSR def. LDN 4-3 - 1st round / 1985 - LDN def. WSR 8-0 pts. - 1st round / 1979 LDN def. WSR (9-game series, both teams advanced to round robin after protest and both lost to Niagara Falls).
Series Schedule:
Game 1, Fri., March 22 at London - 7:30 p.m.
Game 2, Sun., March 24 at London - 2:00 p.m.
Game 3, Tues., March 26 at Windsor - 7:05 p.m.
Game 4, Thurs., March 28 at Windsor - 7:05 p.m.
*Game 5, Fri., March 29 at London - 7:30 p.m.
*Game 6, Sun., March 31 at Windsor - 2:05 p.m.
*Game 7, Tues., April 2 at London - 7:00 p.m.
*If necessary
Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 21, 2019
- Niagara Takes First Game - North Bay Battalion
- Sushko OT Winner Leads Attack Past Greyhounds - Owen Sound Attack
- Fast Start Scuttled in Opening Game Loss to Saginaw - Sarnia Sting
- Spirit Take Game One in Comeback Win over Sting - Saginaw Spirit
- IceDogs Take Game One with 2-0 Win - Niagara IceDogs
- Round One Preview - London Knights
- Playoff Game 1 Preview: Guelph Storm vs. Kitchener Rangers - Sponsored by Owen Sound Tourism - Guelph Storm
- Wolves Open Round One Friday - Soo Greyhounds
- Round One Playoff Preview - Brampton Steelheads
- Steelheads Earn High Marks on 2018-19 OHL Coaches Poll - Brampton Steelheads
- Playoff Preview: Spirit, Sting Open #OHLPlayoffs Thursday in Saginaw - Saginaw Spirit
- Five Petes Recognized in Annual OHL Coaches Poll - Peterborough Petes
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