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Knights Triumph Over Generals in Overtime Thriller

In a gripping overtime showdown on March 2, Sam O’Reilly set up Easton Cowan for the game-winning goal, allowing the London Knights to defeat the Oshawa Generals 4-3. This victory marked Cowan’s impressive third goal of the match, showcasing his skills in clutch situations.

The Knights faced the challenge of concluding a three-game stretch in as many days across different cities. Despite trailing in the third period, they demonstrated resilience by rallying back to tie the game, significantly reducing their magic number to secure the top position in the Ontario Hockey League over the Kitchener Rangers to eight points.

Both teams exchanged goals in the first period, starting with Oshawa’s Luca D’Amato, who found the net at 5:38 while capitalizing on a 4-on-4 situation. The Knights responded when Cowan, stationed on the right side during a power play, seized a rebound and scored his 22nd goal of the season, simultaneously registering his 200th career point.

Sam Dickinson assisted on Cowan’s goal, extending his point streak to eight games, while O’Reilly also contributed, accumulating six points over the weekend, culminating in the decisive assist in overtime. The second period saw both teams scoring again, this time during short-handed situations.

Cowan again displayed his offensive prowess, scoring a breakaway goal just 3:39 into the second period, which was his 23rd of the year, marking a milestone of 50 points for the season. However, the Generals equalized later in the period as Calum Ritchie facilitated Owen Griffin’s short-handed goal, leaving the score tied at 2-2 heading into the third.

The back-and-forth contest continued in the final period. Colby Barlow put Oshawa ahead 3-2 with his 30th goal of the season during a 5-on-3 power play. Yet, with just over three minutes remaining in regulation, Dickinson’s shot from the left point rebounded to Noah Read, who capitalized and brought the game to a 3-3 deadlock.

Overtime provided thrilling moments, with both teams seeking the decisive goal. Cowan nearly scored earlier but was denied, while Dickinson registered another chance that was thwarted by Jacob Oster. Ultimately, with less than 90 seconds on the clock, O’Reilly assisted Cowan, who secured his hat trick and the victory with a well-placed shot.

The Knights outshot the Generals 41-33, with both teams converting once on their four power play opportunities. This exciting match drew a sell-out crowd of 6,011 fans at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa.

Horvat Reaches Milestone Again

In related news, former Knight Bo Horvat achieved his 20th goal of the NHL season for the eighth time in his career during a 7-4 victory for the New York Islanders against the Nashville Predators on March 1. His consistent performance over ten seasons, barring his rookie year and the shortened 2020-21 season, exemplifies his growth as a player. Horvat, originally from Rodney, Ontario, played pivotal roles in the Knights’ back-to-back OHL Championships in 2012 and 2013, including scoring the championship-winning goal in a nail-biting Game 7.

Looking Ahead

The London Knights are set to continue their journey against top Eastern Conference teams, facing off against the Brantford Bulldogs on March 5. The Bulldogs feature Nick Lardis, recognized as the top goal scorer in the OHL with an impressive record of 66 goals in 58 games, including seven hat tricks this season.

The previous encounter between the Knights and Bulldogs was a close contest, with London edging out Brantford 4-3 in an overtime thrill on October 25, with Sam Dickinson scoring the winning goal. Coverage of the upcoming game will begin at 6:30 p.m. on 980 CFPL, accessible through the iHeart Radio and Radioplayer Canada apps.

Source
globalnews.ca