Sep 25, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Easton Cowan (53) skates during warm up before a game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/c97cb429-f2eb-4f12-a93b-a2ea126b0edb.jpeg] Sep 25, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Easton Cowan (53) skates during warm up before a game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images The London Knights are headed back to the Memorial Cup Final for the second consecutive season. Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan delivered a two-point performance Friday night, helping the London Knights punch their ticket to the 2025 Memorial Cup Final with a 5-2 win over the Moncton Wildcats in the semi-final. The 20-year-old recorded a primary assist on London’s second goal, patiently holding the puck in the slot before finding captain Denver Barkey to give the Knights a 2-1 lead. At 18:11 of the third period, Cowan added an empty-netter [https://x.com/TSN_Sports/status/1928629979937415223] to seal the victory. It marked his second goal and sixth point of the tournament, giving him the outright scoring lead heading into Sunday’s final. The ‘Cowboy’ also tied for a game-high seven shots on goal in the win. The victory sets up a rematch against the Medicine Hat Tigers, who handed London a 3-1 loss in their final round-robin game on Tuesday. That defeat remains the only contest where Cowan was held off the scoresheet in the tournament. Maple Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan Held Off Scoresheet As Knights Fall To Tigers, Miss Bye To Memorial Cup Final [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/0c14dc69-e7ea-44d8-b810-3445e595fc52.jpeg] Maple Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan Held Off Scoresheet As Knights Fall To Tigers, Miss Bye To Memorial Cup Final The London Knights will have to take the long road to the 2025 Memorial Cup championship. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-prospect-easton-cowan-held-off-scoresheet-as-knights-fall-to-tigers-miss-bye-to-memorial-cup-final] For the Knights, Sunday represents more than just a shot at revenge, it’s a chance at redemption. Last year, London came up short in the Memorial Cup final, falling 4-3 to the Saginaw Spirit. The club had 13 returning players from that group back this season, with the goal of reaching the top this time around. That drive has been on full display as the Knights steamrolled through the OHL Playoffs with a 16-1 record, never losing to the same opponent twice. Cowan, the first-round pick (28th overall) by the Maple Leafs in 2023, has been at the center of it all, registering an OHL-high 39 points (13G, 26A) in 17 postseason games this year. London will need him at his best as they sit just one win away from finishing what they started in 2024, but taking down Medicine Hat won’t be easy. The WHL champions are undefeated in the tournament and earned a berth in the final thanks to a flawless round-robin. However, it’s often said it’s hard to beat the same team twice, especially on a stage like this. And the Knights have carried the weight of unfinished business all year. Now, they’ve got one more game to prove it. Puck drop for the final is set to take place at 7:00 p.m. EST on Sunday in Rimouski. Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwytvfCA?ceid=CA:en&oc=3] to never miss a story.
