There’s something poetic about a second chance, especially when it comes on the national stage.
The London Knights are headed back to the Memorial Cup Final for the second straight year, becoming the first team to do that since the Windsor Spitfires in 2009 and 2010, after erupting for three third-period goals to clinch a thrilling semifinal victory over the Moncton Wildcats on Friday night.
But this time, they’re not just back – they’re back to finish the job.
After suffering a heartbreaking exit at the hands of fellow OHL rivals and Memorial Cup hosts, the Saginaw Spirit, in last year’s tournament, the Knights are lacing up for one last dance. Their mission? To flip the script and raise junior hockey’s most coveted trophy for the first time since 2016.
“It means everything and more to be able to compete for the trophy. It’s what we’ve been working toward all season,” said forward Blake Montgomery, who scored the eventual game-winner off a slick backhand feed from defenceman Sam Dickinson.
Head Coach Dale Hunter’s squad has been consistent all year, dominating the OHL regular season and playoffs with elite skill, relentless grit, and veteran experience. But despite the accolades and hardware already collected, this team knows the job’s not finished.
“It means everything to be here again – we’ve been playing for this all year,” said forward Landon Sim. “It was the worst day of all of our lives last year, losing that final game.”
Last year’s Memorial Cup run was both a motivator and a measuring stick. The Knights were in the fight, but came up just short of the ultimate prize. An outcome that left a bitter taste and sparked a fire in a locker room full of returning veterans.
“Every time you lose, you want to learn something. You don’t want to just be losing for nothing and take nothing from it,” said blueliner Oliver Bonk. “Those experiences are not fun in the moment, but we’ve learnt and evolved from them.”
Now, with the spotlight brighter and the pressure higher, the Knights are leaning into the moment. A familiar foe awaits them in the final: the undefeated Medicine Hat Tigers, who beat London 3-1 in their round-robin finale just days ago.
“This is the last dance for many of us,” Sim added. “We’ve got guys who want this so badly, and we’re going to keep using that momentum, and the sting of that last loss to them, to fuel us.”
“That was the worst day of my life,” added Knights captain Denver Barkey. “It was gut-wrenching. We remember how that feels and we’re going to use it as motivation.”
As the Knights count down the hours to puck drop on Sunday night, they carry the weight of every missed opportunity and near-miss from a year ago. This tournament is their stage, and the message is clear: it’s not just a return, it’s their redemption era.
One last dance. One last shot. And this time, the Knights are determined to write the ending themselves.
