K-W Titans forward Flen Whitfield attempts a shot in Game 4 in Kitchener on Saturday night. The Titans lost the game, 100-94. (Photo by Dan Congdon)

K-W Titans knock off London Lightning to advance in NBL playoffs

The K-W Titans have won its first National Basketball League playoff series in franchise history, knocking off the first-place, two-time defending NBL champion London Lightning in five games. All five games in this series were won by the visiting team.

After playing very good basketball in the opening two games in London to take a 2-0 series lead back to The Aud, the Titans stumbled at home as the Lightning powered back to tie the series at two. That left the teams with a decisive fifth game on Sunday in London to determine a winner of the best-of-five series. 

The Titans once again started fast on the road, outscoring the Lightning 31-23 in the opening quarter to take an early eight point lead. The second quarter was a defensive struggle as both teams missed open looks and had a hard time getting the ball to the rim. The teams combined for just 33 points in the frame and the Titans took an 11 point lead into half-time. London came out much stronger to start the second half, finally finding its three-point stroke, but the K-W starters matched the Lightning blow for blow and the Titans held their 11 point lead through 36 minutes. Knowing that London would give its biggest push in the fourth, K-W played incredible defence in the final 12 minutes never allowing the Lightning to go on a big run to get back in the game. The Titans held off London's attack and power forward Flen Whitfield hit every shot he took, leading K-W to the 109-93 victory. Whitfield paced the Titans all night, finishing with 29 points and 10 rebounds. Teammate Tramar Sutherland also chipped in a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Jaylen Babb-Harrison led the Lightning with 18 points.

K-W now advances to face the St. John's Edge in the Central Division final. St. John's beat the Sudbury Five in its semi-final series three games to two. Titans fans will have added incentive to come out to The Aud during this series, as St. John's boasts former NBA champion Glen "Big Baby" Davis, who played nine seasons split between the Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic and LA Clippers. Davis, 33, is a native of Louisiana and is his first season with the Edge.

Siskins lead Niagara Falls, Cyclones trail London in Sutherland Cup semis

The two local teams vying for berths in the Sutherland Cup finals - the Waterloo Siskins and Listowel Cyclones - both earned big wins over the weekend in their respective semi-final series. Waterloo knocked off the Niagara Falls Canucks at home, 6-4, to take a 2-0 series lead, while the Cyclones beat the London Nationals on the road, 2-1 in overtime, to bring that series to 2-1 London. 

After winning the opener in Niagara Falls, Waterloo had a chance to double its series lead at the Rec Complex on Sunday. Things looked bleak for the Siskins as Niagara opened the scoring in the first period before extending the lead to 3-0 with two goals in the first two minutes of the second period. Coach Todd Hoffman stuck with Matt Onuska in goal, though, and that decision paid dividends. Jeff Schrattner answered for the Siskins a minute later to get the home side on the board, then Owen Lane cut the deficit to one four minutes after. The teams traded goals in the final minutes of the second and Niagara led 4-3 after two periods. With the game hanging in the balance, the third period proved to be all Waterloo. Alex Lycett turned in the shift of the playoffs, scoring 1:15 into the third to tie the game, then struck again just eight seconds later on a rebound to give the Siskins the 5-4 lead. Sam Cherry then put the game away on a rush late in the third period and Onuska held down the fort to ensure the 6-4 win. 

Onuska finished with 29 saves and Cherry led the way offensively with a goal and two assists for Waterloo. Game 3 of this best-of-seven goes tonight back in Niagara Falls, before returning to Waterloo on Thursday night.

In the other semi-final, the London Nationals have come as advertised, winning the first two games against the Listowel Cyclones. That left the Cycs with a virtual must-win on Sunday night in London to climb back into the series. 

Evan Morrison has been under siege all series in the Listowel goal, and Sunday was no different. The goaltender was sensational through two periods, stopping all 28 shots he faced. Unfortunately for him, the Listowel offence was unable to generate much of anything, managing just 12 shots on London as the teams played to a scoreless tie through 40 minutes. The deadlock was broken early in the third period though, as Steven Grant deposited his third of the postseason to give Listowel a 1-0 lead. Five minutes later, during another Nationals barrage of Morrison, London found the equalizer after a turnover in front of the net found the stick of Josh Castle, who buried it past Morrison, who made 16 more saves in the third. Time ran out with the score tied 1-1, and over 700 fans in London were treated to free hockey. Early in the extra frame, Listowel's big boys finally made an impact. Holdyn Lansink found Brayden Krieger flying into the Nats' zone, who then floated a shot toward the goal and the rebound fell perfectly to Chayse Herrfort, who made no mistake on the doorstep. Herrfort's ninth of the playoffs gave Listowel the 2-1 win in overtime, cutting London's series lead to 2-1 heading home.

Game 4 of this series also goes tonight in Listowel at 7:30 pm. The Cycs can send it back to London on Wednesday tied if they can manage a win at Steve Kerr Arena, where they are only 5-4 in these playoffs.