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The London Knights kicked off their Western Conference quarter-final series with an impressive 6-1 victory over the Owen Sound Attack on March 28 at Canada Life Place. This game not only showcased the Knights’ offensive prowess but also set the tone for what promises to be an intense playoff series.
Physical play sets the stage
The match began with a physical edge, as both teams sought to establish dominance early on. A notable moment occurred when Jared Woolley of the Knights and Landon Hookey of the Attack engaged in a spirited bout at center ice.
This display of toughness was just the beginning, as the Knights quickly took control of the game.
On a power play, Sam O’Reilly opened the scoring with a clever move that left Owen Sound goaltender Carter George scrambling. O’Reilly faked a pass before firing a shot that slipped between George’s pads, igniting the crowd and giving London a crucial early lead.
Sam Dickinson’s standout performance
Sam Dickinson, a key player for the Knights, further solidified his reputation by scoring two goals and assisting on another. His first goal came from a precise wrist shot that found the back of the net, followed by a second where he capitalized on a loose puck in front of the net.
Dickinson’s ability to be in the right place at the right time was instrumental in extending London’s lead to 3-0 by the end of the first period.
Despite a brief resurgence from the Attack, who scored through former Knight Alec Leonard, the Knights quickly regained their momentum.
In the dying seconds of the second period, Easton Cowan set up Denver Barkey for a goal, restoring the three-goal cushion and leaving Owen Sound with little time to regroup.
Knights’ offensive depth shines through
The third period saw the Knights continue to apply pressure, leading to a turnover that Landon Sim capitalized on, scoring to make it 5-1.
Just moments later, Kasper Halttunen added to the scoreline, demonstrating the depth of talent on the Knights’ roster. Both Halttunen and Barkey finished the game with a goal and an assist, showcasing the team’s offensive versatility.
In total, the Knights outshot the Attack 42-25 and displayed a strong special teams performance, going 2-for-6 on the power play while successfully killing all four penalties they faced. This comprehensive victory not only boosts the Knights’ confidence but also sends a clear message to the rest of the league.
A season of accolades
The Knights’ regular season concluded with a flurry of awards, highlighting their dominance in the Ontario Hockey League. Goaltenders Austin Elliott and Aleksei Medvedev earned the Dave Pinkney trophy for the lowest goals against average, while Medvedev also received the F.W. Dinty Moore trophy as the top rookie goalie. Elliott was named OHL Goaltender of the Month for March, boasting an impressive record of 7-0-0.
Sam Dickinson’s contributions were recognized as well, as he was named Defenceman of the Month, leading the Knights in scoring with 18 points in 10 games. His plus-64 rating was the best in the league, underscoring his impact on both ends of the ice.
As the Knights prepare for Game 2 of the series on March 30, they will look to build on this strong performance and continue their quest for playoff success.
