Credit: (London Knights profile X)
The London Knights are advancing to the final of the Memorial Cup this coming Sunday. Yesterday the Knights beat the Saginaw Spirit, 4-2, with Easton Cowan scoring two of the Knights goals, one being the game-winning goal with only a minute and a half left in the third period.
The team’s incredible chemistry and skill have proven their monumental success this past season, which won them the title as the OHL champions.
“A lot of it is just a continuation from the regular season where they were number one in penalty kills, in points, in the power play, number one of all over the place and they’ve continued to just trust that system that got them there,” says London Knights colour commentator, Jim Van Horne.
The team’s luck has followed them over the border into Saginaw, leaving the Knights 3-0 in the Tournament. London area native, Easton Cowan broke a Knights record this past season with maintaining a 36-game point streak in the regular season, then extending it to 42 points in the playoffs.
“Their strength is this defensive core and it just limits scoring chances from even Championship caliber teams, the big four defencemen of Jackson Edward, Isaiah George, Oliver Bonk and Sam Dickinson, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a defensive core like that and you got that high-end offensive skill in tough circumstances where they can create a goal, so that is a strength of their team,” says Van Horne
Van Horne also shared how the team has been overjoyed with the amount of support fans at home and Saginaw have shown at each of the games they played.
“The London fans have just shown up here noisy, waving flags and making signs and the players are appreciating it. They were wondering how many people would come by but the answer to that question has been a lot the fans have a different relationship with every championship team, but this year’s group one is kind I think they are enjoying this one” says Van Horne
The spot to play the Knights is left for the Saginaw Spirit and the Moose jaw Warriors to battle it out. Having played the Knights, both teams have shown the competition they bring to the ice when facing off against them.
“It will be Saginaw’s performance, as they look towards this much-wanted rematch; are they gonna be able to reach the emotional level that they have to get to win against a very good Moose Jaw team, because they’re fast and they could knock them out if Saginaw’s not entirely ready, so it’ll interesting to see if Saginaw can reach the emotional level they need to after a heartbreaking loss,” said Van Horne.
The City of London will be hosting a watch party outside Budweiser gardens at Dundas Place for the final.
