Barry Wright/The Independent

Dale Hunter’s London Knights have cruised into the second round of the OHL playoffs with a four-game sweep of the Owen Sound Attack.  

Evan Van Gorp of Watford had three assists and was chosen as the second star in London’s 8-4 series clinching win at the Bayshore in Owen Sound April 3. London scored six or more goals in all four games, outscoring the Attack 27-12.

The loss ended the OHL career of Lambton Jr. Sting grad Landen Hookey who is an overage player and won’t return next year.

The Knights opened the second round with a 6-3 victory over the Erie Otters on Thursday. London hosts game two of the series on Saturday night.

The Otters advanced with a five-game victory over the defending Memorial Cup champion Saginaw Spirit.  Erie clinched the series with a 6-3 win in mid-Michigan last Saturday.  Saginaw’s coaching staff includes Wyoming’s Garrett Rutledge and former Petrolia Jets coach Jake Grimes.

Elsewhere, Jack Nesbitt and the Windsor Spitfires also punched their ticket to the second round with a five-game win over the Soo in the opening round.  Nesbitt, the Lambton Jr. Sting product with family ties to Alvinston, had a goal and two assists and was the third star in the Spits’ 8-4 win to secure the series last Friday night.

The Spitfires got off to a good start in the second round of the OHL Playoffs, beating the Kitchener Rangers 5-1 on Thursday. The two teams will face off again in Windsor for game two on Saturday.

Meantime, Nesbitt has been chosen the most improved player in the OHL’s Western Conference in the annual league coach’s poll announced last Thursday.

He had 25 goals and 64 points in 65 regular season games this season. Owen Sound’s Hookey was third in voting. He scored 34 goals and 36 assists in 68 games.