The London Knights continued their dominant playoff run with a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Kitchener Rangers in Game 3 of the OHL Western Conference Final on Monday, April 28, 2025. The win, which took place at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, gave the Knights a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series and set a new franchise record for most consecutive playoff victories with 11.
First Period: A Fast-Paced Start
The Knights wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, with Landon Sim opening the scoring at the 7:33 mark of the first period. Sim set up in front of the Rangers’ net and redirected a Sam Dickinson slap pass behind Kitchener goaltender Jackson Parsons to give London a 1-0 lead. The Rangers responded quickly, as Luke Ellinas found the back of the net at 9:39, tying the game at 1-1. However, London regained the lead on a power play when Jacob Julien backhanded a puck through Parsons’ legs at 16:20, marking his third goal in two games and fourth of the postseason.
Second Period: Knights Take Control
The Rangers managed to tie the game once again before the first period ended, with Cameron Arquette wristing a shot past Knights goaltender Austin Elliott on the power play. The game remained deadlocked until the midway point of the second period, when Dickinson and Sim connected for the second time in the game. Sim deflected a Dickinson shot from the left point into the Kitchener goal at 10:47, giving London a 3-2 lead heading into the final period.
Third Period: Defensive Battle
The third period was a tense, defensive showdown, with both teams battling hard to gain an edge. The Rangers came close to tying the game when Jack Pridham was sent in alone and slid a puck through Elliott’s legs, but it stalled just before crossing the goal line. London successfully killed off a double-minor penalty to start the period and held strong defensively to secure the win.
Stars of the Game
- Landon Sim: With two goals, Sim was the offensive catalyst for the Knights, playing a crucial role in securing the victory.
- Sam Dickinson: Dickinson’s two assists and strong defensive presence earned him recognition as one of the game’s top performers.
- Jacob Julien: Julien’s power-play goal proved to be a key moment in the game, helping London maintain control.
Goaltending Matchup
London’s Austin Elliott continued his stellar postseason performance, stopping 21 of 23 shots and making several key saves to preserve the Knights’ lead. On the other side, Jackson Parsons faced a barrage of 37 shots, making 34 saves. While Parsons showed resilience, the Knights’ relentless offensive pressure proved too much to handle.
Special Teams and Key Stats
London outshot Kitchener 37-23, highlighting their offensive dominance. The Knights went 1-for-5 on the power play, while the Rangers converted 1-of-4 opportunities.
Looking Ahead
With the series shifting back to Kitchener for Game 4 on Wednesday, April 30, the Rangers face a must-win situation to keep their championship hopes alive. Meanwhile, the Knights are just one victory away from advancing to the OHL Championship Series, where they will look to defend their title.
The London Knights’ victory on April 28 was a testament to their depth, skill, and determination. As the series progresses, fans can expect more thrilling action between these two storied franchises.
OHL Writers 