london knights moved into fourth place in the OHL Western Conference after a 6-2 win over the Guelph Storm on March 18 at the Sleeman Centre, creating a head-to-head finish for the fourth seed on the final weekend of the regular season.
The victory was comprehensive: Kaeden Hawkins and Ryan Brown each recorded three points, Seb Gatto stopped 28 shots, and London built a 4-0 lead through two periods before closing out 6-2. The result, coupled with a 4-3 Saginaw Spirit victory over the Soo Greyhounds, lifted London past Sault Ste. Marie into fourth. London assistant coach Rick Steadman said the club has given itself a chance to battle for home-ice advantage and emphasized the importance of taking the remaining games as stepping stones into the playoffs.
What Happens If the London Knights hold fourth?
If London keeps fourth, the Knights would start their first-round series at home — a point Steadman highlighted as making life easier. Key on-ice contributors from the win include Hawkins and Brown’s multi-point nights and Gatto’s 28-save performance that earned his 23rd victory of the season. The team also clinched the season series with Guelph, winning four of six matchups.
- Final score: London 6, Guelph 2 at the Sleeman Centre.
- Notable performances: Kaeden Hawkins and Ryan Brown, three points each; Seb Gatto, 28 saves and 23rd win.
- Scoring sequence highlights: four goals in the second period put London ahead 4-0; Jaxon Cover reached 20 goals with a power-play marker.
- Roster notes: Will Nicholl scored his 13th goal in his 30th game; Rene Van Bommel recorded his 10th; Ilya Shybinsky provided Guelph’s goals, including power-play markers.
- Organizational note: Four members of the London Knights 2025 draft class earned spots on the 2025-26 GOHL All-Rookie team: Cooper McAslan, Eloan Le Gallic, Jake Ritson and Michael Pope.
What If London stumbles in its final two games?
London faces Windsor and Flint in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday, while Sault Ste. Marie finishes with home matchups against Saginaw and Windsor. A slip in either of those London games or a pair of wins for the Greyhounds would send the fourth-seed battle to the final day. The Knights must protect leads, limit turnovers in their zone and avoid giving opponents extra chances on the power play — Guelph finished 1-for-4 on the man advantage in the matchup.
Steadman warned that the upcoming opponents are skilled with strong goaltending and urged his team to focus on tight, hard play and the little details that carry into a playoff series. The margin for error is small: both London and the Greyhounds have two games remaining on their schedules, and the fourth-seed fight will be decided on the final weekend.
What Now: How to finish the race for the London Knights
The practical path is simple and exact: win the remaining games against Windsor and Flint to preserve fourth and secure a home start in the first round. London’s recent win showed scoring depth and goaltending that can be built on, but consistency over the final two matchups will be decisive. Expect the club to prioritize disciplined play, special-teams efficiency and riding the momentum from multi-point efforts by players like Hawkins and Brown while leaning on Gatto in net.
There is uncertainty in any short series of regular-season games; outcomes will depend on execution in the defensive zone and the ability to convert on chances. For readers tracking the closing days of the regular season, watch how the Knights manage pressure nights and whether they can translate Wednesday’s comprehensive win into the results needed to keep home-ice hopes alive — a finish that will define the immediate future for london knights
