Knights Win 6-1 over Saskatoon

The handshake after a tie breaker win

Sparky Anderson used to have a sign in his office when he managed the Detroit Tigers.  

It said: "Every 24 hours, the world turns over on someone who thought they were on top.."

Jake Petterson vs. Sakatoon Blades

The reverse is also true.   The London Knights left the Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon relieved, happy and energized after their 6-1 win over the host Blades.  When Seth Griffith scored a power play goal just after the midway point of the game, the Knights relaxed.  They dominated the rest of the game and proved to be too fast and skilled for the Blades.  It was a long way from how the Knights felt after a 9-2 loss to the Halifax Mooseheads in their final round robin game.  The Knights would be forgiven for having a crisis of confidence.

The world turned over for London goalie Jake Patterson as well.  He was in the net for the first five Halifax goals and his confidence appeared shaken.

But the world continues to spin and the new day brought new hope. Patterson was tapped on the shoulder by coach Dale Hunter.  He made several key saves while the Knights built their confidence and nursed a 1-0 lead on a Bo Horvat penalty shot goal.

It was one of the strangest exits to a Memorial Cup in my memory.  7,585 watched the hometown Blades in their elimination game but few were around at the final buzzer.  A tepid ovation sent them on their way after a "year on the edge.." (Sportsnet documentary), a four game sweep in round one vs. Medicine Hat and a 51 day wait for the Memorial Cup.