Latest news with #SavNeth
CTV News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
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.
CBC
16-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
London Knights are back-to-back OHL champions
The London Knights are back-to-back Ontario Hockey League champions. Kasper Halttunen scored twice as London topped the Oshawa Generals 5-2 in Game 5 of the championship series Thursday, helping the Knights capture the J. Ross Robertson Cup and book their ticket to the Memorial Cup. "I believe we're gonna take it all the way," London Knights Fan Club founder Sav Neth said, after watching the final at Canada Life Place. Nath was there with his son and said the fans brought the most epic energy he had ever seen in the arena. He has been at every championship game the Knights have won on the road, but said he was grateful to have the opportunity to see them win at home. "We've dreamt of this since day one, and to do it in back-to-back years is a surreal feeling. It's even better to do it on home ice," said Knights captain Denver Barkey, who returned to the lineup from injury in Game 5. "It's a great way to cap off what we've built here in London, and there's one more thing to go win now." Sam O'Reilly and Easton Cowan both scored a goal and an assist while Landon Sim scored for London. Sam Dickinson and Jacob Julien added two assists apiece. Knights goaltender Austin Elliott saved 32 of 34 shots. Andrew Gibson and Beckett Sennecke replied for Oshawa Generals goaltender Jacob Oster, who saved 20 of 24 shots. "We're a close-knit family here," said Knights head coach Dale Hunter, who won his fifth J. Ross Robertson Cup to tie him for the most all-time with Leighton "Hap" Emms. "The kids enjoy playing, and it's easy to coach when they enjoy it. It's been a real fun couple years here with these kids." Halttunen was named OHL playoff MVP after producing 15 goals -- including nine in the championship series -- and six assists in 17 games. The 19-year-old Finn became the first import player in league history to earn the honour. The Knights claimed their sixth OHL title after also winning in 2024, 2016, 2013, 2012 and 2005. London joins Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League finalists Moncton and Rimouski - this year's host - in the Memorial Cup. The Western Hockey League champion still needs to be determined, with Medicine Hat leading Spokane 3-1 in the final. The Knights lost 4-3 to the Saginaw Spirit in last year's Memorial Cup final. Aside from the action in the championship game, Neth said the highlight was seeing Denver Barkey named OHL Humanitarian of the Year. Barkey's charity work helped London-area children with learning and social disabilities register for hockey while providing donated equipment.
