The Erie Otters never recovered from London's four unanswered goals during the teams' Ontario Hockey League playoff series opener.
Cut to Saturday's second game at Canada Life Place, where once again the Knights never trailed after a 4-0 run.
This time, though, their 7-2 Western Conference semifinal victory was at the expense of two Erie goaltenders.
London countered Sam Alfano's early power play goal for Erie with scores by stars William Nicholl, Denver Barkey and Landon Sim, plus reserve Blake Montgomery. Each were with Noah Erliden in net for the Otters.
Erliden departed the rink late in the second period not because of the Knights' offense, but because of an issue with his goalie mask. Charlie Burns took over in his first OHL postseason appearance.
Erie coach Kris Mallette, with London up 5-2, chose to send Burns back out for the third period. He was ultimately responsible for the hosts' last three goals, which included two by Easton Cowan.
The Knights finished with 42 shots on net, which meant they scored on every sixth attempt.
Gabriel Frasca recorded Saturday's second goal for the Otters, who must win at least one of next week's two home games at Erie Insurance Arena to extend their 2024-25 season.
Game three is scheduled there Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Misiak missing late
Erie's bid to even the best-of-seven series was further hindered by an injury to center Martin Misiak. The Chicago Blackhawks draft pick went head-first into the boards late in the second period.
Erie radio announcer Shawn Bednard said Misiak eventually stood on his own and skated to the team's locker room. However, he never returned to play.
Other results
Windsor, like London, also took a 2-0 lead in its conference semifinal against Kitchener.
The second-seeded Spitfires, led by Ryan Abraham's two goals, defeated the third-seeded Rangers 5-1.
Saturday's lone Eastern Conference quarterfinal game saw the Barrie Colts record the last three goals in their 7-4 win against the Kingston Frontenacs.
Riley Patterson and Emil Hemming each totaled two goals and an assist for Barrie, which heads to Kingston's rink up 2-0.
Oshawa and Brantford resume their series on Sunday. Brantford, that conference's top seed, won the teams' opener.
Series schedule
Thursday: London 6, Erie 3
Saturday: London 7, Erie 2
April 15: London at Erie, 7 p.m.
April 17: London at Erie, 7 p.m.
April 18: Erie at London, 7 p.m. (if ...
