24-05-2025
Fans prepare to cheer on London Knights at 7th Memorial Cup
The city of London has teamed up with the Knights to host a free outdoor screening as the team competes for the Memorial Cup. CTV's Lauren Stallone reports.
Coming off last year's heartbreaking final minute loss, fans are gearing up to cheer on the London Knights in their 7th Memorial Cup on Saturday.
Ryan Craven, Core Area program manager at the City of London, said hundreds of fans are set to take over Dundas Place, between Ridout and Talbot Streets, as the city hosts a free outdoor screening of the big game.
'We are going to have a DJ playing music to kind of create a nice atmosphere,' said Craven. 'At around 5:30 p.m. the London Police Pipes and Drums Band will come to ceremonially open the event.'
The city is encouraging fans to rep their green and gold and come cheer on the Knights as they face-off against the Moncton Wildcats.
'It's always nice when people come together,' said Craven. 'We spend so much time alone with our screens and so this is why we bring a big screen downtown so the community can connect and feel like one.'
052325 London Knight's Memorial Cup
London Knight's Memorial Cup games will be screened outdoors. (Source: City of London)
Sav Neth, president of the London Knights Fan Club, said events like this help drive the team to victory.
'Whatever you are doing, just bring that positive energy, that vibe, that feeling, it resonates,' said Neth. 'The guys feel it all the way down to Rimouski.'
The OHL Champs are looking to clinch that first game win to set themselves up for a successful run at the cup.
'I chatted to a few of the guys this week about how excited they were and how much they're going to take in, but they are focused on the task at hand and bringing that Memorial Cup home to the forest city,' said Neth.
Neth said this year's win is essential, following last year's heartbreaking final-minute loss.
'The team worked so hard to be at this point, back-to-back championships, came so close last year, a lot of heartbreaks and they got some unfinished business,' he said. 'What's bigger than hockey is the people and that is what we are doing, and the best thing is seeing the love and joy from everybody involved.'
The first screening will show the game between the Knights and the Moncton Wildcats, champions of the QMHL. Puck drop is at 6 p.m.
The second game, on May 25 at 6 p.m., will see the Knights play against the Rimouski Océanic.
On May 27 at 7 p.m., the Knights compete against the WHL champions, Medicine Hat Tigers.
Food, beverages, and public washrooms will be available at Canada Life Place for fans.
