The stage is set for an exhilarating OHL Championship Series as the London Knights face off against the Oshawa Generals, with Game 1 scheduled for Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 7:00 PM in London. The Knights, boasting a stellar 12-0 postseason record, are looking to continue their dominance after sweeping the Kitchener Rangers in the Western Conference Finals, marking their third consecutive Wayne Gretzky Trophy as Western Conference champions.
Having eliminated the Owen Sound Attack and Erie Otters in the earlier rounds, the Knights have outscored their opponents 66-28 throughout the playoffs, averaging an impressive 5.5 goals per game. Their goaltender, Austin Elliott, has been a pivotal figure, maintaining a perfect 12-0 record with a 2.31 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage. However, the Knights may have to navigate the series without Philadelphia Flyers prospect Denver Barkey, who sustained an injury during the Western Conference Final.
Leading the Knights' offensive charge is Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan, who has racked up 27 points in 12 games, showcasing his prowess on the ice. The Knights are also welcoming back defenseman Jared Woolley, who missed the last game of the Western Conference Finals due to a suspension. Woolley, a 6-foot-5 defender, recorded two assists in the Knights' 6-2 victory in Game 2 against Kitchener and has tallied seven points in the playoffs.
On the other side, the Oshawa Generals are hungry for revenge after falling to the Knights in last year's OHL Final. The Generals are coming off a dominant sweep of the Barrie Colts in the Eastern Conference Final and have shown explosive offense throughout the playoffs. Their scoring leaders, defenseman Luca Marrelli, and forwards Colby Barlow and Beckett Sennecke, dominate the playoff scoring race with 31, 29, and 27 points, respectively.
This championship matchup is particularly significant as both teams are vying for the J. Ross Robertson Cup, with the winner earning a coveted spot in the Memorial Cup in Rimouski, Quebec, later this month. The Generals are looking to secure their record-extending 14th OHL championship, their first since the 2014-15 season, while the Knights aim for their sixth overall title.
The season series between these two rivals was tightly contested, ending in a 1-1 tie. The Knights secured a thrilling overtime victory in early March after losing to the Generals in regulation earlier in the season. With new additions on both sides, including Ottawa Senators prospect Blake Montgomery and New York Islanders draft pick Jesse Nurmi for London, and Winnipeg Jets prospect Barlow, Philadelphia Flyers pick Noah Powell, and Nashville Predators draftee Andrew Gibson for Oshawa, the stakes are incredibly high.
As the puck drops for Game 1, fans can expect a fierce battle, with both teams eager to establish control early in the series. The Knights' combination of playoff experience and high-scoring offense will be tested against the Generals' formidable lineup, which has shown the ability to score at will. With the championship on the line, every game promises to deliver excitement, intensity, and unforgettable moments.
The championship series schedule is as follows: Game 1 on Thursday, May 8 at London, Game 2 on Saturday, May 10 at London, Game 3 on Monday, May 12 at Oshawa, Game 4 on Tuesday, May 13 at Oshawa, Game 5 on Thursday, May 15 at London if necessary, Game 6 on Saturday, May 17 at Oshawa if necessary, and Game 7 on Monday, May 19 at London if necessary.
In this rematch of last year’s finals, both teams have a lot to prove, and fans will be treated to a thrilling display of talent and determination. Will the Knights continue their winning streak and claim the championship once again, or will the Generals rise to the occasion and reclaim their title? One thing is for sure: this series will be one for the history books.
