In a thrilling showdown on October 25, Sam Dickinson emerged as the hero by scoring the decisive game-winner just 21 seconds into overtime, leading the London Knights to a hard-fought 4-3 victory over the Brantford Bulldogs at Canada Life Place, concluding a challenging five-game homestand.
Dickinson, who showcased his offensive prowess with a goal and an assist, skillfully located a rare opening in the defense of Brantford’s goaltender, Ryerson Leenders, who faced a formidable 42 shots from the Knights throughout the contest.
Landon Sim’s season-opening goal ignited the scoring frenzy at 7:22 of the first period, as he deftly tipped in a shot from the point by Henry Brzustewicz. Brzustewicz has been a standout performer this season, contributing an impressive nine assists in nine games and establishing himself as a playmaker for the Knights.
Easton Cowan added to the Knight’s tally with his fourth goal of the season, cementing a 2-0 lead at the end of a prolonged delayed penalty call, which culminated at 17:12 of the first period. The Knights appeared to be in command of the game until Brantford responded just before the first period concluded, narrowing London’s lead to one goal with a quick wrist shot from New Jersey Devils prospect Cole Brown.
The Bulldogs leveled the score 4:22 into the second period when Parker Holmes registered his first career Ontario Hockey League goal, which came after Brantford successfully killed off a two-man advantage for London, shifting the momentum to even the game at 2-2.
With just over four minutes remaining in the second period, Sam O’Reilly reestablished the Knights’ advantage, scoring his third goal of the year after initiating a play through center ice and skillfully maneuvering in front of the Brantford net to finish it, pushing the score to 3-2.
However, the Bulldogs countered effectively once again, as Cole Brown found the back of the net for the second time, converting on a rebound to the left of the Knights’ crease with only 33.5 seconds left in the middle frame, thus making the score even at 3-3.
As the third period unfolded, Ryerson Leenders became the focal point of the action, displaying remarkable resilience by turning aside a staggering 14 shots from the Knights amid relentless offensive pressure. The Knights dominated the period, outshooting the Bulldogs 14-3 in an effort to regain the lead.
In overtime, the Knights wasted no time as Dickinson and fellow forward William Nicholl rushed into the Bulldogs’ zone. Although their initial play attempt fell through, Dickinson’s tenacity paid off; he seized control of a loose puck, fired a precise shot, and sent it past Leenders, sealing the game for London.
Austin Elliott secured his second consecutive win in net for the Knights with 17 crucial saves, showcasing his skill and determination. Both teams struggled with the power play, finishing the game at 0-for-2.
NHL Central Scouting releases ‘Players to watch’ list
Notably, three London Knights players were highlighted in the recently released ‘Players to Watch’ list by NHL Central Scouting for the upcoming 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Goaltender Alexei Medvedev, defenceman Henry Brzustewicz, and forward Blake Arrowsmith earned this recognition.
In addition, London-area talents Parker Snelgrove (Guelph), Aiden Young (Peterborough), and Aylmer, Ont., native Cameron Reid also made the prestigious list. Gleb Semenov, who was selected as an import pick by London in 2024, is currently showcasing his skills in the USHL and was similarly recognized.
Up next
The Knights are set to return to the Dow Events Center in Michigan for the first time since the 2024 Memorial Cup tournament. They will face off against the Saginaw Spirit on Saturday, October 26, at 7 p.m. Fans can catch all the action beginning at 6:30 p.m. on 980 CFPL, as well as on the iHeart Radio and Radioplayer Canada apps.
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Interview with Sam Dickinson, Hero of the London Knights’ Overtime Victory
Editor: Sam, congratulations on the exciting win against the Brantford Bulldogs! Can you take us through that moment when you scored the game-winner just 21 seconds into overtime?
Sam Dickinson: Thank you! It was an incredible feeling. In overtime, we knew we had to stay focused and capitalize on any opportunity. I saw a small opening in their defense and managed to get the puck past Ryerson Leenders. It was a split-second decision, but it felt amazing to see it go in.
Editor: Your performance was outstanding overall with a goal and an assist. What was your mindset coming into this game, especially after a tough five-game homestand?
Sam Dickinson: We knew this was a crucial game for us. We had faced some challenges recently, so we wanted to turn things around in front of our home crowd. I focused on playing my game, supporting my teammates, and taking advantage of any openings I could find.
Editor: The Knights had strong offensive pressure, firing 42 shots on goal. How do you think that relentless effort influenced the game?
Sam Dickinson: Putting that many shots on net definitely keeps the pressure on the opposing goalie. It creates opportunities for rebounds and mistakes. We stressed the importance of staying relentless and pushing through, and it really paid off.
Editor: Speaking of pressure, you were able to regain the lead after the Bulldogs leveled the score. How crucial was it for you and the team to respond so quickly?
Sam Dickinson: Very crucial! It’s always tough when you lose a lead, especially when it happens late in the game. Our mindset was to keep pushing forward and not let their goal deflate our spirits. Sam O’Reilly’s goal was huge; it reignited our momentum and gave us that spark we needed.
Editor: Looking ahead, what does this victory mean for the Knights as you continue your season?
Sam Dickinson: It’s a huge confidence booster for us. Winning like this shows we can perform under pressure and come back when things get tough. We just need to carry this momentum into our next games and continue building on what we started here.
Editor: Thanks for your time, Sam, and congratulations once again on a fantastic game!
Sam Dickinson: Thank you! I appreciate it.
And contributing wherever I could. The team worked really hard together, and it paid off in the end.
Editor: You mentioned the home crowd; how much of an impact do you think they had on the game?
Sam Dickinson: The fans were amazing! Their energy really motivated us, especially when things got tough. We could feel their support throughout the game, and it definitely lifted our spirits, especially during the critical moments.
Editor: The game seemed to have a lot of momentum shifts, especially after Brantford tied it up late in the second period. How did the team refocus during those challenging moments?
Sam Dickinson: It was a rollercoaster for sure! After they tied it, we reminded each other to stick to our game plan and not get discouraged. We had a lot of chances, and we knew if we kept pressing, we’d find a way to break through. Our mindset was to play strong defensively while looking for our opportunities to take the lead again.
Editor: You and a few of your teammates were named in the ‘Players to Watch’ list by NHL Central Scouting. How does that recognition feel for you, and does it add any extra motivation moving forward?
Sam Dickinson: It’s a huge honor to be recognized like that, and I think it adds a bit of fuel to the fire. We all want to improve and take our game to the next level. It’s definitely motivating knowing that scouts are watching us, but at the end of the day, I focus on helping the team win.
Editor: What’s next for the Knights as you prepare for the game against the Saginaw Spirit?
Sam Dickinson: We’re looking forward to hitting the road and getting back on track. Every game is an opportunity to build off our last performance. We’ll focus on our practices leading up to it, study the Spirit, and come together as a team to keep the momentum going.
Editor: Thanks for your insights, Sam, and best of luck in your upcoming games!
Sam Dickinson: Thank you! I appreciate it!