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In a thrilling encounter at Canada Life Place on November 14, the London Knights secured a 5-2 victory against the Owen Sound Attack. The match highlighted impressive performances from various players, particularly Jaxon Cover, who scored a goal and provided an assist, earning recognition as the game’s first star. The Knights demonstrated their ability to capitalize on opportunities, with three of their five goals resulting from breakaway situations.
The Knights have accumulated five points out of a possible six against the Attack in their initial three encounters of the season. This success continues to build momentum as the team strives for further achievements. The atmosphere in the arena was electric, with 9,061 fans enthusiastically supporting the home team in a classic rivalry matchup.
Game highlights and key moments
The match commenced with Owen Sound taking an early lead, thanks to a power play goal from Tristan Delisle. At 3:55 of the first period, he slid the puck across the goal line after a rebound, despite the efforts of Knights goaltender Aleksei Medvedev. Although the goal underwent a brief review, it was ultimately upheld, giving the Attack a 1-0 advantage.
Not to be outdone, the Knights quickly responded. Evan Van Gorp stole the puck while shorthanded, skillfully maneuvering past two defenders before scoring the equalizer at 8:38. The back-and-forth action persisted, with Owen Sound regaining the lead less than a minute later through Easton Mikus, who netted his first goal of the season with a slick backhand shot.
Knights’ resilience in the second period
Undeterred, the Knights came out firing in the second period. Jaxon Cover struck again, converting a pass from Braidy Wassilyn to tie the game at 2-2. With momentum on their side, London took the lead shortly thereafter. Logan Hawery found the back of the net following a brilliant lead pass from Rene Van Bommel, putting London ahead 3-2.
The Knights continued their offensive onslaught. Just minutes later, Cover sent a breakaway pass to Braiden Clark, who executed a perfect wrist shot, extending their lead to 4-2. This offensive display was particularly impressive given the series of penalties the team faced during the game, showcasing their resilience and ability to capitalize on opportunities.
Defensive strengths and special teams
As the third period unfolded, the Attack sought to claw back into the game, putting a shot past Medvedev that was initially ruled a goal. However, following a video review, it was determined that the puck had been illegally kicked into the net, preserving the Knights’ lead. The Knights’ defense, bolstered by Medvedev’s stellar goaltending, proved crucial, successfully killing off eight penalty opportunities for Owen Sound and demonstrating their effectiveness on the penalty kill.
In the game’s closing moments, Sam O’Reilly sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, finalizing the score at 5-2. The Knights’ capacity to perform under pressure and their depth in scoring were evident, with players who had previously struggled finding the back of the net, much to the delight of their fans.
Looking ahead
As the Knights prepare for their next matchup against the Soo Greyhounds on November 16, they will aim to build on their recent successes. The Greyhounds, featuring first-round NHL draft pick Brady Martin, are expected to present a formidable challenge. Coverage of the game will begin at 1:30 p.m. on 980 CFPL.
The Knights are also monitoring former player Easton Cowan, who has been recalled from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies and may return to the ice against the Greyhounds. With Cowan’s experience and skill, the Knights are well-positioned for continued success as the season progresses.