Game Four.  Knights vs. Niagara Icedogs.   London 4 Niagara 1.  London leads series 3-1 

Michael Houser makes one of 37 saves vs. Icedogs in Game Four.

The London Knights are one win away from their second OHL championship.   The Knights continue to have an answer for everything the Icedogs throw at them.  They are blocking a lot of shots and the Michael Houser has been solid on the ones that get through.

Ryan and Matt Rupert each scored a goal.  Chris Tierny and Vladislav Namestnikov had the others.  The story over the last four games is how the Knights have been able to shut down Ryan Strome and the other veteran Niagara forwards.  Strome, who is now -5 for the series, Fred Hamilton, Andrew Agozzino and Alex Friesen were held off the scoresheet and were a combined -3.

Matt Rupert scores 3rd period goal on a deflected pass by Dougie Hamilton

Meanwhile, six 17-year old Knights combined for 9 points and a plus 7 rating.  The Icedogs have no answer for the pesky determination of Ryan and Matt Rupert.  The Ruperts combined with Max Domi for the key first goal of the hockey game and they went on to each register a goal and an assist.  Ollie Maatta, who won't be 18 until late August picked up two assists.  Chris Tierney scored his second goal in two nights and Andreas Athanasiou had an assist.
The young Knights are outperforming the Icedog veterans.

Dougie Hamilton took two very bad penalties in the second period. He also knocked in the 4th London goal as he tried to deflect a pass from Matt Rupert to brother Ryan.  That was a key goal as it came just :56 after the Icedogs scored to make it 3-1 in the third period.

Ollie Maatta seemed to be OK after the game after a late hit

Red Tilson trophy winner Michael Houser is outperforming Mark Visentin as well, which makes a Niagara comeback unlikely.

The Knights will be tough to beat at home on Friday.  They can smell a title and they will be further galvanized by events at the end of the game.  Brett Ritchie laid a late hit on Ollie Maatta sending the Knights possible playoff MVP to the bench in obvious pain.  For the first time this season Rob Ramage was screaming at the referees - almost walking to centre ice at the end of the game to defend Maatta.

The Knights can smell the title.  The Icedogs are clearly frustrated and seemed resigned to their fate.