In London, Nazem Kadri scored three goals and added two assists to pace the Knights to an 8-1 win over the Erie Otters in one of four games in the OHL playoffs on Saturday.
Kadri opened the scoring on a powerplay midway through the first period and then added a pair of goals, including the game-winner, in the second period for his first OHL hat trick.
“He’s a great player and I’m really happy for him,” said linemate Daniel Erlich, who picked up a pair of assists in the win. “We had chemistry and were flying in the first period.”
John Tavares, Dominic DeSando, Scott Aarssen, Phil Varone and Justin Taylor all scored in the third period for London while Varone and Michael Del Zotto each had two assists.
The win gives the Knights a 2-0 lead in the opening round Western Conference series. The Otters host the next two games, including Game 3 on Wednesday.
“The whole team was just flying today,” Erlich said. “We’re happy for that and hopefully we keep going. We’re going to come out flying again and full of energy and hopefully we can take it from there.”
Trevor Cann went the distance in net for London, allowing one goal on 29 shots for the win. Cann has allowed just 11 goals in his last nine starts through the final two weeks of the regular season and the start of the playoffs.
“He’s a great goalie,” Erlich said. “He just had to get his confidence and now he’s got it and he’s just playing unreal.”
Shawn Szydlowski evened the score late in the first period for the Otters. Jaroslav Janus allowed seven goals on 47 shots and Shane Owen finished the game, allowing one goal on seven shots.
Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors 7, Barrie Colts 4
In Barrie, Casey Cizikas scored two goals, including the winner late in the third period, to help the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors to a 7-4 win over the Colts.
Jordan Mayer also had two goals for the Majors, who lead the series 2-0 and host Game 3 on Monday.
Jared Gomes and Devante Smith-Pelly had a goal and two assists each in the win while Dustin Ekelman also scored.
Taylor Carnevale, Darren Archibald, Josh Brittain and Colin Behenna replied for the Colts while Matt Stanisz chipped in with two assists.
JP Anderson got the win for the Majors, turning aside 29 of 33 shots he faced while Michael Hutchinson allowed six goals on 48 shots for the Colts.
Sarnia Sting 2, Plymouth Whalers 0
In Plymouth, Dan Spence made 52 saves to back the Sarnia Sting to a 2-0 win over the Whalers in the first game of their Western Conference series.
Jamie Arniel scored the first goal of the game with the Sting on a two-man advantage in the first period and then Matt Martin added an empty net goal in the final minute to seal the win.
Matt Hackett allowed one goal on 32 shots for the Whalers, who were scoreless on five powerplay chances.
Sarnia hosts Game 2 on Sunday.
Saginaw Spirit 6, Guelph Storm 5 (2OT)
In Saginaw, Jack Combs scored his second goal of the game late in double overtime to lift the Spirit to a 6-5 win over the Guelph Storm in the first game of their Western Conference series.
Tyler Murovich, Jordan Szwarz, Kyle Bochek and Jordan Skellett also scored and Joe Plekaitis added three assists in the win.
Matt Kennedy scored twice for the Storm, including the game-tying goal early in the third period, and Denis Hollenstein, Yves Bastien and Brandon Buck added singles.
Edward Pasquale made 69 saves for the win while Brandon Foote allowed six goals on 53 shots in the Guelph net.
