London continues their cinderella run after going 3-0 in the Memorial Cup round robin and receiving a bye to the finals, but can they get the job done on the biggest stage in junior hockey?
The London Knights have had an — almost — picture-perfect season. They finished the OHL regular season as the top team in the league standings, they swept three-out-of-four playoff series, and they won the J. Ross Robertson Cup in the OHL Final.
In the Memorial Cup thus far, they have gone 3-0 and earned themselves a bye to the Memorial Cup final — against the winner of Saginaw vs. Moose Jaw.
The only thing that can complete this story is a win for the Knights on Sunday in the Memorial Cup Final — the biggest stage in major junior hockey.
"I love playing on the big stage" said Easton Cowan after their final round robin game against Saginaw.
Cowan continues to prove his ability to step up in big moments, and he did just that with his game-winning goal late in the game against the Spirit to clinch his team a bye to the final. The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect has five points through three games in the Memorial Cup thus far, but none of that matters when the puck drops on Sunday.
You can bet that Cowan will be ready to play once the puck is dropped, and he will surely factor in if the Knights are going to take the win.
"This is the stuff you kinda grow up dreaming of as a kid," said Philadelphia Flyers prospect Denver Barkey.
Barkey is the second "twin" in the duo of Barkey and Easton Cowan, and he has not shied away from the big stage either. He's got three assists and a goal in the tournament thus far, and his speed and constant energy is always a motivator for his team.
Cowan and Barkey may play on seperate lines at 5-on-5, but they usually find a way to connect on the power play or penalty kill — where they are always paired up.
Even with all of the accolades that the London Knights have taken away this season, none of it will matter unless they get the final win on Sunday night. This is the goal that every major junior player in the CHL plays for, and each London Knight will have the opportunity to live that dream.
The Knights might not be the fastest, they might not be the most skilled, they may not score the most goals or have the best goalie — but the way they play together as one unit is unmatched. London's entire lineup is pulling the same way, and it is clear to see that in every single game they play.
This core will need to come together one more time in order to lift the Memorial Cup, and it all goes down on Sunday, June 2nd.