Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the latest installment of junior hockey drama that could have been written by Shakespeare—if Shakespeare had a penchant for slapshots and missed penalties instead of tragic endings. Today’s headline features none other than the London Knights and their star, Easton Cowan, who is on the brink of claiming his place in Ontario Hockey League history. That’s right, folks! If Cowan manages to score a point against the Ottawa 67’s, he’ll match the legendary Doug Gilmour’s 55-game streak from 1982-83. Let’s just say, if he does, the Maple Leafs may actually clean out the rafters to hang his jersey next to one they haven’t retired yet!
Now, in his latest game, Cowan notched an assist in a thrilling 6-5 victory over the Saginaw Spirit. A game filled with such intensity that you could practically hear the seats squeaking with anticipation as they shouted “GO KNIGHTS!” or possibly just each other’s names over the din. Did I mention it ended with a sorcerer’s brew of frantic goals? Because nothing says “hockey” quite like a team nearly blowing a four-goal lead—what were they, the Atlanta Falcons?
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Cowan’s streak currently stands at a remarkable 54 games, but of course, there’s the pesky asterisk: this streak won’t be officially recognized by the league because it spans two seasons. Can you imagine if they did that in football? “Oh, sorry Tom Brady, those Super Bowl wins don’t count because you played in two different years.” Ridiculous, right? That’s like saying you can only celebrate your birthday on a leap year!
And while we’re on the topic of drama, Saturday’s game featured quite the spectacle. The Knights built up their lead, but the Spirit came roaring back like a teenager after being grounded—fiery, unexpected, and with a thirst for rebellion (also known as goals). London went from comfortable dominance to holding on for dear life, as Saginaw staged a three-goal surge reminiscent of that time your fridge made noise and you swore it was hissing at you in a foreign language.
Easton’s teammate, Sam Dickinson, decided he didn’t just want to assist Cowan’s glory; he wanted to make a name for himself too. With a six-point game, he must have felt like the kid at a school science fair who not only made a volcano but somehow got it to erupt in flaming glory. A true standout, keeping the Knights in the spotlight with 38 points over just 20 games—proving that playing for London isn’t a “Knight” out of hell, it’s a ticket to fame!
In the end, the Knights managed to fend off the relentless Spirit to claim victory, taking their tally of wins to an impressive 14 in a row! Knights goaltender Aleksei Medvedev transformed from a young lad into a wall, especially in that nerve-wracking third period. If he had legs made of steel, the game would have ended in a shutout!
Now, before I sign off, mark your calendars for Sunday at 4 p.m., folks. That’s when Cowan gets a shot at the record against the Ottawa 67’s. Let’s hope he doesn’t pull a “Cinderella” and forget to make it to the ball—and by ball, I mean the puck. Please, no glass skates on this one!
Remember, whether you’re shouting from the stands or watching from the couch, let’s do our best to celebrate these young stars, because if they play their cards right, we might just witness greatness unfold before our eyes. Cheers!
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The Ottawa 67’s are the only thing standing between Easton Cowan and Ontario Hockey League history.
The star forward for the London Knights, Easton Cowan, extended his remarkable regular-season point streak to 54 consecutive games with an assist during an exhilarating 6-5 win against the Saginaw Spirit, played in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 3,865 at the Dow Event Center. He has the chance to equal the legendary Doug Gilmour’s record of 55 straight games with a point, achieved as a Cornwall Royal in the 1982-83 season, during the upcoming match against the Barber Poles on Sunday at 4 p.m. at Canada Life Place.
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The league has already indicated it will continue to celebrate Cowan’s incredible run. However, it will not officially recognize the streak due to the fact that it does not span a single season. Cowan had an impressive point streak of 36 games last year and has now added an astounding 18 additional games this fall since being returned to London by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Knights developed a four-goal advantage during the third period against Saginaw but were met with a fierce response, as the Spirit mounted a late comeback, scoring three times and making the final moments tense for London.
During Saturday’s game, it was a tough outing for both teams as penalties were prominent. London forward Kasper Halttunen was ejected from the match after delivering a checking-from-behind major penalty to Saginaw defenseman James Guo. Fortunately, no Saginaw player was injured as a result of the penalties assessed.
London defender Sam Dickinson showcased his playmaking prowess, contributing to every tally with a noteworthy goal and an impressive six-point performance. The Sharks prospect now leads his team with 38 points in just 20 games, demonstrating his exceptional offensive talent.
Ryan “Pucks” Pyette on the OHL
Knights goaltender Aleksei Medvedev delivered a standout performance, securing his ninth win as he faced a barrage from the Spirit, especially in the third period when London was heavily outshot 20-5. This outcome highlights the resilience and determination of the Knights as they maintained their composure under pressure. Blake Montgomery made waves by opening the scoring with his first OHL goal in just his sixth game after making the transition from the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League.
OHL HOCKEY
The Knights triumphed over the Spirit with a close score of 6-5, showcasing their offensive depth and strategic gameplay. The upcoming match against Ottawa on Sunday at 4 p.m. will be crucial for Cowan as he aims to make history.
Saturday at The Dow Event Center
Knights 6, Spirit 5
London goals: Blake Montgomery, Sam Dickinson, Denver Barkey, Jesse Nurmi, Will Nicholl, Sam O’Reilly
Saginaw goals: Joey Willis (3), Jacob Cloutier, Zayne Parekh
Next: The Knights face Ottawa Sunday, 4 p.m. at Canada Life Place.
Saturday Recap
First period: London lead with Montgomery scoring at 11:31. Saginaw answered with Cloutier’s goal at 18:42, highlighting the competitive nature of the match.
Second period: London took charge with Dickinson’s power-play goal followed by more scoring from Barkey, demonstrating their offensive prowess.
Third period: London added to its lead, showcasing depth and teamwork as they fended off Saginaw’s late surge. They proved to be resilient despite the Spirit’s strong comeback attempt.
Attendance during the game was strong at 3,865, showing the community’s support for junior hockey.
Three stars: 1. Sam Dickinson, Knights; 2. Joey Willis, Spirit; 3. Sam O’Reilly, Knights
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