Knights vs. Plymouth in Pictures

London coach Dale Hunter shakes hands with Plymouth forward Tom Wilson

Love this shot.  Minutes after Knights coach Dale Hunter was doing everything he could to stop Whalers forward Tom Wilson  -- and Wilson was doing everything in his power to beat Hunter's Knights, the two shake hands.  The picture is hockey's embodiment of tough competition but respect for the opponent.  That respect ensures that you are prepared knowing that the minute you let up, the other team will take advantage.  The stuff of great drama and sport. 

Seth is back.

Knights forward Seth Griffin lets out a scream after  a crucial empty net goal in game four in Plymouth (a 6-4 win for London).  Griffith's return to form with goals in games three and four sparked the Knights offense in the two games in Plymouth.  Griffith's return to form has returned the Knights power play to form, a crucial part of their win over the Whalers.  

Seth Griffith slides power play goal home late in first period of game four

Mr. Cool, Knights goalie Anthony Stolarz

Anthony Stolarz had certainly showed why the Flyers made him a second round draft pick before the conference championship even started.  Against the Whalers, though Stolarz faced an NHL-style challenge.  He face traffic from future NHL-sized forwards.  The Whalers made sure Stolarz had few easy saves in any of the five games.  Stolarz rarely retaliated and rarely lost his concentration.  

Stolarz saw the number 10 on the back of Tom Wilson's sweater a lot in the serires 

Anthony Stolarz has a 2.26 GAA and .935 save percentage in the playoffs

Alex Broadhurst (out of frame) scored in game four.

 This goal by Alex Broadhurst in game four (above) seemed to shake up Whalers goalie Alex Nedeljkovic.  While he played well in game five, he was never quite the same.  There is little doubt he'll be an all-star in the future.  Nedeljkovic lost only 2 games in the regular season after taking over the number one job.

Knights defenseman Ollie Maatta checked out by teammate Justin Sefton

Knights defenseman Ollie Maatta was a constant target of the Whalers huge forwards during the series.  The Knights  Finnish defenseman handled the punishment and stayed aggressive moving the puck.  "He's a horse," said Knights GM Mark Hunter.  "The only question is if he plays 12 or 14 years in the National Hockey League." 

Max Domi after scoring the series winner.

 The Ontario Hockey League has certainly come a long way.  When Max Domi's father played for Peterborough back in the day, national TV coverage for a conference final was only a dream for the league.  To say nothing of arena's with jumbo screens. 

Teammates and fans celebrate a goal with Max Domi in game 5 at Budweiser Gardens

The Ontario Hockey League wanted teams winning conference trophies to pose for pictures.