A dominating Game 1 of the OHL Finals by the London Knights led by Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan
It all comes down to this after 68 regular season games and three grueling playoff series. One last series and a chance to be the OHL's best team of the 2023-24 season. The quest for the J. Ross Robertson Cup began last night in London.
The London Knights are no strangers to the pressure-packed environment of the OHL Finals seeing as they were in the exact same position last season. They came close but lost in six games to the Peterborough Petes.
Suffering a loss in the finals is one of the most devastating moments in a player's career. All the hard work you put into the season only to be met with heartbreak and angst at the end. London looked motivated in Game 1 to not go home disappointed this year, as they thumped the Generals 8-1.
It has been pretty bleak in Leafs Nation ever since they were eliminated in Game 7 against the Boston Bruins in the first round of the NHL playoffs. With Head Coach Sheldon Keefe relieved from his duties and more questions surrounding what to do with the core of the team. Toronto fans can look forward to their promising star-studded prospect Easton Cowan.
As if winning the OHL's MVP trophy wasn't good enough. Cowan decided to further put his name out there with an electric Game 1 performance recording five points.
Easton sits third in playoff scoring with 24 points in 15 games and second in points-per-game with 1.60. His ability to siphon out passing lanes through defensive coverage and his elite playmaking skills was on full display along with his incredibly shifty edgework — sounds a lot like a former London winger and current Maple Leaf, Mitch Marner.
Cowan factored in on London's five straight unanswered goals through the first two periods. With one goal and three primary assists, it was impossible not to notice No. 7 in green every time his skates hit the ice.
Oliver Bonk got the sold-out home crowd out of their seats on the game's opening powerplay. With fans still getting back to their seats from their intermission refreshments, Bonk swings in off the rush and snipes the puck past Jacob Oster. His six goals put him first for goals scored by a defenceman in the OHL playoffs.
As for their opponents, it was an ugly opening game and one they'll need to quickly wipe away from their memories. Oshawa was without a couple of their best players Connor Punnett and Beckett Sennecke. Punnett's defensive prowess and shutdown skills were deeply missed in this one and Sennecke's flashy and exuberant skill leaves a huge hole in the Generals' attack. Not to be forgotten is 30-goal scorer Matthew Buckley who also missed Game 1 due to an injury.
Connor Lockhart scored the lone goal for Oshawa coming at the end of the second period — scoring against his former Peterborough Petes teammate Michael Simpson.
That late goal put a glimmer of hope into a potential miraculous comeback for the Generals. Alas, the Knights did not allow that to occur, scoring three quick goals to start the third period and close out Game 1.
Goaltender of the Year, Jacob Oster was pulled after allowing seven goals on 32 shots but he made a few ten-bell saves in the second period and at times was hung on to dry by his team.
Sam Dickinson continues to exert himself as a potential top-10 pick in the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft. His three assists moved him into a tie with Oliver Bonk for most points by a Knights defenceman in the post-season. He impacts the game on both sides of the puck through his ability to squash the rush with his smooth skating and active stick and his ability to quickly move pucks up ice and activate in the offensive zone to create offense.
Game 2 of the OHL Finals plays Saturday night where Oshawa will be looking to respond and London planning to send another sold-out home crowd at Budweiser Gardens home happy.