Knight time for the Hounds?
There are three weeks left to play on the ’25-26 Ontario Hockey League regular season schedule and it is setting up as a likely opening round playoff series between the Soo Greyhounds and London Knights.
The Greyhounds are in fourth place and the Knights currently hold down fifth spot in what is a hotly contested Western Conference of the OHL. The Greyhounds, who have 76 points from a record of 35-18-6, have a game in hand on London, which has 73 points by way of a 34-21-5 mark.
As the Greyhounds were buyers and the Knights were sellers ahead of the January 9 OHL trade deadline, the Red and White would definitely be the favourites to take care of the Green Machine should the two teams meet in a first round, best of seven series.
FAB FOUR. All in all, there is little to choose from among the top four teams in the Western Conference, namely the Kitchener Rangers, Windsor Spitfires, Flint Firebirds and the Greyhounds. All four teams have different strengths and are built for the playoffs. All four teams added key players ahead of the OHL trade deadline.
NET GAIN. If the Greyhounds have an edge on the others it may be between the pipes with Carter George. It says here that George is the best goalie in the entire OHL with Joey Costanzo of Windsor not far behind.
HOUND POWER. When the Greyhounds are at full strength with forward Brady Martin and defenseman Chase Reid in the lineup at the same time — both have had injury issues — they are every bit as good as Kitchener, Windsor and Flint and more than a few ticks ahead of London.
LEAN ON DEAN. Greyhound general manager Kyle Raftis has provided head coach John Dean with an exceptional roster of players. And to be sure, it is on Dean to lead the Hounds on a lengthy playoff run. No more excuses.
photo by Bob Davies
It could be a great series! The previous 3 playoffs vs the Knights all ended with the Knights advancing to the next round. The first in 1988 had the Knights winning in 6 games after the Soo dropped the first 2 won the next 2 then dropped games 5 and 6.
The 2006 series was a 4 games sweep though the last 2 went to OT.
The most recent, 20 years ago , 2006/07 saw the Knights prevail in 7 games . The Soo dropped the first 3 games and facing elimination , stayed alive for 3 games including winning in London in Game 5. Game 6 saw the Hounds survive 5-4 and forcing the deciding game in London. That final game was a dominant 8-4 victory for the Knights.
It’s been 20 years for the Hounds as an organization to return the favour and send the Knights to the sidelines.