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London Knights Dominate Owen Sound Attack with a 6-1 Victory

In a commanding performance, the London Knights triumphed over the Owen Sound Attack with a score of 6-1 on February 28 at Canada Life Place. Sam Dickinson once again showcased his offensive prowess, contributing four points for the second consecutive Friday night.

Sam O’Reilly also made headlines by netting a hat trick, marking him as the sixth player on the Knights to reach the 20-goal milestone this season. Dickinson’s contributions included one goal and three assists, following his previous week’s standout performance in which he notched four points and scored the overtime winner against the Brampton Steelheads. With this latest outing, Dickinson now boasts a total of 73 points, just 14 points shy of the Knights’ franchise record for a defenseman, a title currently shared by Evan Bouchard and Rick Corriveau.

Knights head coach Dale Hunter celebrated his 997th career regular-season win as his team embarked on a demanding stretch of three games over three days.

All goals scored by the Knights came at even strength during the match. The team established dominance early on, registering three first-period goals on 22 shots against Owen Sound’s goalie, Carter George. Kasper Halttunen was the first to find the net at the 5:24 mark, firing a precise wrist shot. Easton Cowan followed up with a breakaway goal, marking his 21st of the season, just moments later.

Despite a brief counter from Cole Zurawski, who netted a goal with just over two minutes left in the first period, London quickly regained momentum. Henry Brzustewicz capitalized on a strong forecheck, scoring just 7.1 seconds before the first period concluded, bringing the score to 3-1.

The Knights continued their offensive surge into the second period, outshooting the Attack early on and ultimately scoring three additional goals. O’Reilly initiated the scoring in the middle frame, netting two early goals to secure his 19th and 20th of the season, both assisted by Dickinson. A critical moment came when Dickinson scored a goal that required a review, as the puck’s entry into the net went unnoticed initially. This tally cemented London’s comfortable 6-1 lead, prompting a goalie change as George was replaced by Matthew Koprowski.

The scoring onslaught persisted into the third period, where the Knights scored three goals within the first five minutes. Halttunen added his second goal, followed by an impressive play by Evan Van Gorp, who managed to score while being hindered by defenders, showcasing his determination and skill. O’Reilly capped off the scoring with his third goal, courtesy of assists from Jesse Nurmi and Denver Barkey. Notably, Barkey, Nurmi, and Landon Sim each contributed two assists to the Knights’ advantage.

London significantly outshot the Attack, with a tally of 44-26. Despite struggling on the power play, going 0-for-5, the Knights maintained a solid defensive performance, successfully killing all seven penalties faced.

Future Prospects for the Knights

Beyond the current season, the London Knights are securing their future competitiveness by signing three young talents to OHL Scholarship and Development Agreements. On February 27, the franchise announced the addition of Jaxon Cover, a fourth-round pick from the 2024 draft who has transitioned impressively from roller hockey in the Cayman Islands to ice hockey. Alongside him are Eddie Hickson, a seventh-round pick who has excelled with the London Nationals, and Brody Cook, currently ranking fourth in scoring for the Leamington Flyers. While all three players will continue to develop with their respective teams, they are poised to be integral for the Knights in the seasons to come.

Next Game

The Knights’ next challenge will be against the Niagara IceDogs in St. Catharines, Ontario, on March 1. The IceDogs are struggling, having won just one of their last 16 games and slipping from a strong position in the Eastern Conference to sixth place.

Fans can catch the game live, with coverage beginning at 6:30 PM on 980 CFPL, available online at www.980cfpl.ca and through the iHeart Radio and Radioplayer Canada apps.

Source
globalnews.ca