The London Knights began scoring and did not let up in Erie Sunday afternoon.
London took a huge lead and held off a comeback effort by the Erie Otters in their 8-5 win. The Knights have 85 points and lead the OHL Western Conference. Erie is stuck in ninth-place with 49 points, three out of the last playoff spot.
The first goal for the Knights was a successful penalty shot, taken by Kevin Hancock at 2:10 in the opening period. Alex Formenton doubled the London lead 53 seconds later on a power-play goal. Paul Cotter and Evan Bouchard also scored for a commanding 4-0 lead after the first 20 minutes of play.
London continued to pour it on in the middle period. Hancock scored his second goal of the game at 5:55, and Cole Tymkin followed suit less than four minutes later for a 6-0 Knights lead. The Otters got on the board with a goal by Jamie Drysdale, but London added more scoring before the second intermission, from the sticks of Adam Boqvist and Josh Nelson.
Erie did put up a good fight in the third by scoring four unanswered goals, scored in order by Alex Gritz, Joseph Mack, Mathew MacDougall and Chad Yetman.
London goaltender Jordan Kooy was pulled late in regulation and Joseph Raaymakers finished the game. Together they stopped 21 shots in goal. For the Otters, Cole Ceci had 31 saves in net.
The Knights are in Mississauga Monday afternoon for a Family Day matinee.