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London Knights Secured Hamilton Spectator Trophy with Victory Over Guelph Storm

In a significant display of skill and teamwork, the London Knights have clinched the Hamilton Spectator Trophy, solidifying their position as the top team in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for the second consecutive season. This achievement was highlighted by a commanding 7-3 victory over the Guelph Storm.

Easton Cowan played a pivotal role in the game, setting up four goals, while Sam Dickinson made headlines by scoring twice and contributing two assists. Dickinson’s performance brought him within four points of the Knights’ all-time single-season record for a defenceman. Throughout the past two games, Cowan has amassed an impressive total of eight assists.

The Knights have been on a winning streak, with five consecutive victories leading up to the playoffs, leaving them with just six regular-season games remaining.

In a heartfelt moment, Max Namestnikov, the younger brother of former Knights player Vladislav Namestnikov, opened the scoring during the matchup. Namestnikov’s goal came early in the first period after receiving a pass beside the Knights’ net, where he skillfully shot over the goaltender to establish a 1-0 lead.

However, the Knights quickly responded just over four minutes later. Sam O’Reilly netted his fifth goal in three games, bringing his season total to 27, which ties him with Cowan and Landon Sim for the team lead. Unfortunately, O’Reilly did not finish the game after a hard hit against the boards.

The Knights exploded in the second period, scoring three goals that showcased Cowan’s impressive playmaking abilities. First, Cowan set up Dickinson for a powerful one-timer during a power play, marking Dickinson’s 80th point of the season, making him the second Knight in franchise history to reach the 80-point milestone. Following that, Cowan assisted Logan Hawery on a breakaway, resulting in Hawery’s eighth goal of the season and extending London’s lead to 3-1. Later in the period, Cowan provided another assist on a power play to Kasper Halttunen, further adding to the Knights’ dominance.

With a commanding 5-1 lead at the end of the second period, the Knights faced a challenge when Carter Stevens scored for Guelph with a power-play goal, reducing the score to 5-2. In the waning minutes, Guelph opted to pull their goaltender, which led to Evan Van Gorp scoring in the empty net for an 18th goal this season. Just moments later, Rene Van Bommel added his fourth goal in two games. Guelph’s Rowan Topp ended the scoring late in the game with a goal verified through review, ensuring it was not a case of goaltender interference.

The match concluded with both teams having equal shots on goal, recorded at 38 each, while London capitalized on their power play opportunities by converting 3 out of 5 chances and successfully handling 5 out of 6 penalty kill situations.

Austin Elliott Earns OHL Goaltender of the Week Honors

Austin Elliott has been recognized as the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the second time this season, following an outstanding performance that included a 5-0 shutout against the Brantford Bulldogs and a tight 3-2 victory over the Kingston Frontenacs, which marked a milestone for head coach Dale Hunter with his 1,000th career win. Elliott’s exceptional play has led him to lead the league in both overall save percentage and goals against average.

Upcoming Matchup

The Knights are set to face the Guelph Storm once more on Wednesday, March 12, at the Sleeman Centre. This encounter will mark the final regular-season matchup between these two teams. Fans can tune in for coverage starting at 6 p.m. on 980 CFPL or through the iHeart Radio and Radioplayer Canada apps.

Source
globalnews.ca