Brandon Caputo @BCaputo_AGM
The Western Conference's top seeded London Knights handled business in the round two series opener against the Erie Otters thanks to a string of four straight goals.
Erie would open the scoring thanks to overage standout and Notre Dame commit Pano Fimis, his team-leading 8th goal of the playoffs before Washington Capitals prospect Cam Allen got the game evened up before the end of the opening period.
London would get goals from captain Denver Barkey, Oliver Bonk and Landon Sim to take a convincing lead, before Erie scored twice in only 12 seconds to get the game back to a one-goal deficit thanks to Dylan Edwards and Wesley Royston.
A trio of fights took place in the first 33 minutes of the contest as these bitter rivals who haven't met in the playoffs since 2017 were battle-ready. Landon Sim vs Wesley Royston, Ryder Boulton vs Alex Messier and finally Jesse Nurmi vs Nathan Sauder ended what was a stacked lineup card of tilts on this Thursday night.
With Erie having the momentum going to the final period, Philadelphia Flyers prospect Denver Barkey put an end to that quickly as he picked up the rebound off of the Easton Cowan shot and extended the Knights lead back to two, just 53 seconds into the final frame. Cowan, the Toronto Maple Leafs first round talent collected four assists on this night, giving him 13 points in only 5 playoff games so far.
Barkey would go on to cap off the night with an empty-net goal in the final minute, earning his third goal and hat-trick for the night, sending the 9061 in attendance at Canada Life Place home happy.
Austin Elliott stopped 24 of 27 in the win while Noah Erliden made 30 of 35 saves in the loss.
Game two of this series takes place Saturday night at 7:00pm from London's Canada Life Place before the series shifts back to Erie, Pennsylvania.
