London Knights 2026 Playoff Schedule – Results & Guide

Few things sting like a short playoff run when you’ve been watching all season. For London Knights fans, the 2026 OHL playoffs ended in a tough five-game series loss to the Soo Greyhounds, with Game 5 a decisive 5-1 defeat at home on April 4. This guide breaks down exactly what happened, what’s next for the team under owner-coach Dale Hunter, and everything else you need to know about the Knights’ postseason.

2025-26 regular season finish: 4th in Western Conference · Playoff opponent (Round 1): Soo Greyhounds · Playoff series result: Lost 4-1 (Game 5 shutout) · Head coach and owner: Dale Hunter · Home arena: Canada Life Place, London, Ontario · First playoff game date: March 27, 2026

Seven key details in one table: a snapshot of the Knights’ playoff landscape.

Are the London Knights still in the playoffs?

No. The London Knights were eliminated in the first round of the 2026 OHL Playoffs by the Soo Greyhounds. The series ended 4-1 in games after a 5-1 defeat on home ice April 4. As of mid-April 2026, the team has no further postseason games scheduled. The OHL Playoff Tracker (league official) confirms the Knights were the Western Conference fourth seed and lost the best-of-7 series.

London Knights ousted after Game 5 shutout loss to Soo Greyhounds

The series unraveled quickly. According to OurSports Central (independent schedule aggregator), Game 1 on March 27 saw the Knights lose 4-1. Game 2 on March 29 was a 4-0 shutout. Game 3 on March 31 went to overtime (3-2 loss). The only win came in Game 4 on April 2 (5-3). Game 5 ended the series with a 5-1 loss.

• Game 1: March 27 – Knights 1, Greyhounds 4 (OHL Playoff Morning Minute)
• Game 2: March 29 – Greyhounds 4, Knights 0
• Game 3: March 31 – Greyhounds 3, Knights 2 (OT)
• Game 4: April 2 – Knights 5, Greyhounds 3
• Game 5: April 4 – Greyhounds 5, Knights 1

What the loss means for the 2026 season

The Knights finished the regular season fourth in the Western Conference with 85 points and a 40-23-4-1 record. A first-round exit in five games means the team will not play beyond early April. The trade-off: an extended off-season for player evaluation and draft positioning. For Dale Hunter, who has led the Knights as owner and coach since 2000, the focus now turns to rebuilding for the 2026-27 campaign.

Does Dale Hunter own the London Knights?

Yes. Dale Hunter is the owner, president, and head coach of the London Knights. The CHL (Canadian Hockey League governing body) lists him in both ownership and coaching capacities. He has been involved with the Knights since 2000, leading the franchise to OHL championships in 2005 and 2013.

Dale Hunter’s role: owner, president, head coach

• Owner and president: he purchased the team in 2000 and holds majority ownership.
• Head coach: Hunter has been behind the bench for over two decades, making him one of the longest-tenured coaches in the OHL.
• CHL Hall of Fame inductee: his contributions to junior hockey were recognized with Hall of Fame honors.

History of Hunter with the Knights

Hunter’s tenure has been marked by consistent success: an OHL championship in 2005 (over Ottawa 67’s) and another in 2013 (over Barrie Colts). The 2026 playoff exit is a rare first-round miss in recent memory. His track record suggests a quick retool.

The implication: Hunter’s dual role means any decision about the coaching staff is ultimately a self-evaluation.

Is the OHL playoffs best of 7?

Yes. All rounds of the OHL playoffs are best-of-7 series. The official OHL schedule page states that teams play a maximum of 28 playoff games if they reach the finals. The format uses a 3-2-1-1-1 home-ice rotation for all best-of-7 rounds.

OHL playoff structure: all rounds best-of-7

Unlike the NHL, which uses best-of-7 only in the first round, the OHL applies it throughout — from conference quarterfinals to the championship. This means every series is a battle of endurance.

Comparison to NHL playoff format

The NHL also uses best-of-7 in all rounds, but the OHL differs in its scheduling: games 1, 2, 5, and 7 are not guaranteed home-ice — the 3-2-1-1-1 format gives the higher seed three home games (Games 1, 2, 5, 7) and two road games (Games 3, 4, 6). The NHL uses a 2-2-1-1-1 pattern.

What is the London Knights playoff schedule for 2026?

Here is the complete series results against the Soo Greyhounds in Round 1:

Five games, one pattern: the Knights struggled to contain the Greyhounds’ offence except in Game 4, where a hat trick from Ryan Brown sparked the lone win (OHL Playoff Morning Minute on Youtube).

What this means: the Knights’ early exit gives the front office more time to evaluate and retool for next season.

How can I buy London Knights playoff tickets?

Because the Knights were eliminated in the first round, no playoff tickets remain for the 2026 postseason. For future games, tickets are sold through Canada Life Place (official venue page) and Ticketmaster.ca. Single-game tickets for the 2026-27 regular season typically become available in late summer or early fall.

Official ticket sources: Ticketmaster and Canada Life Place

• Ticketmaster.ca: official reseller for the Knights.
• Canada Life Place box office: located at 99 Dundas Street, London, ON.
• Season ticket packages: available directly through the team office.

Pricing and availability for future seasons

Ticket prices vary by seat location and opponent. For reference, during the 2025-26 regular season, lower-bowl tickets at Canada Life Place ranged from approximately $30 to $60 CAD. Playoff tickets, if the Knights reach the 2027 postseason, are typically priced higher and sell out quickly.

The 2026 playoff exit puts the London Knights at a crossroads. For Dale Hunter, the owner-coach, the choice is clear: retool the roster and return stronger next season, or accept that the current core may need deeper changes. For fans, the message is equally direct: anticipate a motivated team back at Canada Life Place in October 2026, ready to rewrite the postseason story.