Portland 2 London 1 - What a Year

 The Knights on the ice after a 2-1 loss to Portland in the Memorial Cup semi-final

Pained but proud, the London Knights lost the Memorial Cup semi-final 2-1 to the Portland Winterhawks in Saskatoon.

World junior defensemen Tyler Wotherspoon and Scott Harringston

The Knights left their hearts in Saskatoon, giving everything they had against a very good Portland team.  Ty Rattie's third period goal proved to be the winner, his fifth of the Memorial Cup.

There was very little to choose between two skilled, fast teams and the hockey was entertaining.  The game finished with the Knights pressing for the tying goal.

In the end, the key game for the Knights might have been the Saskatoon Blades beating the Halifax Mooseheads for their only win of the tournament.  Had that not happened, the Knights would not have had to play a tie breaker Thursday night.  Although the Knights had good energy throughout the semi-final game against Portland, perhaps the extra energy would have helped.  

Max Domi scored the London goal to put them up 1-0.   The Winterhawks tied the game less than two minutes later on a goal by Tyler Wotherspoon setting the stage for Rattie's winner.

The Knights played well enough to win, but Portland goes on to play Halifax in what should be a great Memorial Cup final.

Thanks to Saskatoon for being a great host.

The Knights try for the tying goal in the dying seconds against Portland. 

Country star Paul Brandt did a great job on both anthems