To say the London Knights are in the driver’s seat in the Ontario Hockey League’s Western Conference final against the Erie Otters would be an understatement.
The Knights will head home with a 2-0 series lead after beating the Otters 6-1 at Erie Insurance Arena on Sunday evening.
Daniel Bernhardt scored a pair of goals to pace the Knights offensively.
“In any league you play in, you need your depth guys to come up big and Daniel had a big game,” said Knights Coach Dale Hunter. “It really helps when you have that secondary scoring.”
Mitchell Marner and Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and an assist each for London. Nicolas Mattinen and Aaron Berisha also scored for the Knights.
Goaltender Tyler Parsons made 26 saves.
The Knights scored three times in the opening period, including a pair of goals before the game was 10 minutes old.
“The story of both games is the start,” said Erie Coach Kris Knoblauch. “Tonight it was the first shift, we make a mistake and were pretty loose on our coverage. You give (London) room in the offensive zone and it leads to a good scoring chance.”
Goaltender Devin Williams stopped 19 shots for Erie. He was pulled briefly to end the opening period but was back in goal to start the second period. Knoblauch said the move was made to help him refocus. Jake Lawr came in but did not face a shot in 4:35.
The series now shifts to London for game three on Tuesday night. Game four is the following night, also in London.
In the Eastern Conference final, the Niagara IceDogs take a 2-0 series lead into game three on Monday night in St. Catharines. Game four in that series is also on Wednesday night.