Oshawa swept away by London in OHL championship

The Oshawa Generals run for an OHL title ended abruptly on Wednesday night (May 15).

The London Knights wrapped up a convincing sweep of the Eastern Conference champions with a 7-1 win at the Tribute Communities Centre to claim the J. Ross Robertson Cup.

The Western Conference champion Knights, who swept the best-of-seven final series in four games, now advance to the Memorial Cup in Saginaw, Michigan beginning May 24.

London, led by Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan and top 2024 NHL Draft prospect Sam Dickinson, dominated the series, outscoring Oshawa 31-9.

The Generals best chance to turn the series came on home ice in Game 3 on Monday when they held a 6-2 lead after two periods, but London rallied to score four times in the third and Henry Brzustewicz scored two minutes into the second overtime to complete the stunning comeback.

In Wednesday’s series’ clincher, Kasper Halttunen scored twice and added an assist and Cowan had a goal and three assists to the power London to its first title since 2016 when they swept the Niagara IceDogs and went on to win the Memorial Cup in Red Deer, Alberta.

Ruslan Gazizov, Denver Barkey, William Nicholl, and Dickinson also scored for the Knights.

Calum Ritchie had the lone goal for Oshawa.

Michael Simpson, who won an OHL title with the Peterborough Petes last season, stopped 25 of 26 shots to advance to the Memorial Cup for a second-straight season. OHL Goaltender of the Year Jacob Oster made 23 saves for Oshawa.

The Drummondville Voltigeurs earned their spot in the national championships after completing a four-game sweep of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar Tuesday night to claim the Gilles-Courteau Trophy for the second time.

The Moose Jaw Warriors joined Drummondvillle and London in the wee hours on Thursday morning (ET) after a 4-2 over the Portland Winterhawks gave the Saskatchewan club a sweep of the final and their first-ever Memorial Cup berth. It also marked the first time there has been a sweep of all three league championship series since the three leagues began regular play against other in the post season in 1967.

Host Saginaw will open the Memorial Cup May 24 against Moose Jaw, while London will play Drummondville the following night.

The final is set for Sunday, June 2.