John Tavares is a London Knight. Michael Del Zotto is a London Knight.
Now, Windsor isn't the only top OHL championship contender anymore.
The Spitfires, the consensus frontrunner since the start of the season, finalized a significant deal on Wednesday, when they acquired center Scott Timmins, defenseman Ben Shutron and goaltender Josh Unice from Kitchener.
But as the trade deadline arrives Friday and the playoff chase intensifies, the Knights and Spitfires are equals - on offense and defense, in goal and on special teams. "It's pick 'em," said Sherry Bassin, Erie Otters managing partner/general manager, said Thursday. "Those are the two teams you've got to match against."
Let's take a closer look at how the Knights and Spitfires stack up together:

Goaltending - London's Trevor Cann has proven he can win in this league. He also has an OHL title on his resume, as David Shantz's backup on Peterborough's 2005-06 club.
Andrew Engelage has been considered the powerhouse Spitfires' weak link, even with a 49-14-4-5 record and seven shutouts the past 1 1/2 seasons. But as Bassin said, Engelage has competition now in Josh Unice, who won an OHL championship and played for a Memorial Cup title in Kitchener last season but has struggled this year. The thought of losing the No. 1 spot to Unice should motivate Engelage.
Advantage: Cann (slightly)

Defense - Shutron, an overager, joins overager Rob Kwiet as the veteran leaders of a Spitfires' defense that also features young standouts Ryan Ellis, Mark Cundari and Jesse Blacker.
Del Zotto is the star of a Knights' defense that has talent and experience. But scoring goals against the Spitfires was difficult before Shutron arrived (league-best 96 goals against - 2.4 per game). Now it could be near impossible.
Advantage: Windsor

Offense - Skill, skill and more skill - both teams have it. But after watching Tavares dominate to his way to a gold medal and MVP honors with Canada in the IIHF World Junior Championship, he's the league's best player - period. He makes all the difference in the world.
Advantage: London

Special teams - Ellis and Shutron provide Windsor's sixth-ranked power play with a lethal combo on the point. Timmins ranks among the top 20 in power-play goals. All three can create scoring chances and score, too. And I haven't even mentioned Taylor Hall, Greg Nemisz, Dale Mitchell, Kwiet and Adam Henrique.
But the Knights have just as much skill and speed. And the list of talented offensive performers also runs long behind Tavares and Del Zotto - Nazem Kadri, Philip McRae, Daniel Erlich, Justin Taylor, Phil Varone and John Carlson.
Advantage: Even

– Victor Fernandes