The London Knights are gearing up for another shot at glory, as they march into the Memorial Cup Final for the second year running. With the spotlight squarely on Easton Cowan, a promising Toronto Maple Leafs prospect, the Knights clinched a decisive 5-2 victory over the Moncton Wildcats in Friday's semi-final showdown.
Cowan, who's just 20, played a pivotal role with a stellar two-point night. His cool composure shone through as he patiently held the puck in the slot before delivering a pinpoint pass to captain Denver Barkey, nudging the Knights to a 2-1 lead.
And just when the Wildcats hoped for a late comeback, Cowan iced the game at 18:11 of the third period with an empty-netter. This marked his second goal and sixth point of the tournament, propelling him to the front of the scoring race ahead of Sunday's grand finale.
The 'Cowboy,' as he's affectionately dubbed, matched a game-high with seven shots on goal, underscoring his aggressive presence on the ice.
Anticipation is building as the Knights prepare for a crucial rematch against the Medicine Hat Tigers, who previously handed London a 3-1 defeat in the round-robin stage. That loss marks the sole instance Cowan found himself absent from the scoresheet in this tournament.
For London, Sunday’s contest is more than just a battle for the cup; it’s a chance at sweet redemption. Last season ended in heartbreak with a narrow 4-3 defeat to the Saginaw Spirit in the final. With 13 players returning from that squad, the Knights are driven by a shared mission to finish the job they set out to do.
The Knights have been a formidable force, tearing through the OHL Playoffs with an impressive 16-1 run, refusing to fall to any opponent more than once. Leading this charge has been Cowan, a first-round pick for the Leafs in 2023, who’s dazzled with 39 points, including 13 goals and 26 assists, in 17 playoff games. His performance will be crucial as London looks to settle the score with Medicine Hat.
Yet, the Tigers are no easy prey. Undefeated in the tournament, they've earned their place in the final following a spotless round-robin campaign. But the age-old adage holds true: beating the same team twice isn't easy, especially when the stakes are this high.
The Knights have carried the burden of last year’s unfinished business throughout this season. Now, with one more game ahead, it's time for them to deliver the final chapter of their redemption story.
Set your clocks: the puck drops for the final at 7:00 p.m. EST on Sunday in Rimouski. It promises to be a clash worthy of championship lore.
