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The London Knights finally beat an American team on home ice this season. It took an over-age goaltender from Strathmore, Alta., to help make it happen.
Former Saskatoon Blades stopper Austin Elliott made 30 saves in his OHL debut as the Knights topped the Erie Otters 3-1 before 9,036 Sunday at Canada Life Place.
The Knights had been 0-3 against United States visitors so far in London, losing to Flint, Erie and – worst of all – to defending Memorial Cup champion Saginaw Friday.
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They looked like a much different team against the speedy Otters. The Knights outshot Erie 17-7 in the first period and scored all three goals in a strong second.
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Easton Cowan scored the power-play winner to extend his regular-season point streak to 41 games. The Maple Leafs top prospect’s personal run dates back to November 25, 2023 in Barrie. (Doug Gilmour holds the OHL record, 55 games.)
The Knights were looking for veteran goaltending help to replace two-time OHL champion Michael Simpson this fall. Elliott is off to a nice start in filling that role.
The 20-year-old former Western leaguer lived up to his reputation as a poised netminder with a talent for playing the puck. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder held Erie to 0-for-5 with the man advantage and made his best saves late when the Otters were desperate for an offensive lift.
Elliott started his season with three straight wins for Saskatoon before being released.
He delivered another victory to push London (5-4) back above the .500 mark again.
rpyette@postmedia.com
OHL HOCKEY
Knights 3, Otters 1
London goal: Rene Van Bommel, Easton Cowan, Jesse Nurmi
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Erie goal: Sam Alfano
Next: The Knights face Brantford Friday, 7 p.m. at Canada Life Place.
Sunday at Canada Life Place
Knights 3, Otters 1
First period
No scoring.
Penalties – Sim, Ldn (tripping) 4:18, Terrance, Er, Julien, Ldn (roughing) 19:53.
Second period
1., London, Van Bommel 2 (Woolley) 9:39
2. Erie, Alfano 6 (Henry, Spence) 10:03
3. London, Cowan 3 (Julien, Bonk) 14:48 (pp)
4. London, Nurmi 2 (Nicholl, Brzustewicz) 17:56
Penalties – Daviault, Er (tripping) 4:32, Sim, Ldn (roughing, unsportsmanlike conduct) 11:01, Clarke, Er (tripping) 13:59, Ambrosio, Er (tripping) 15:11, Jenken, Ldn (high-sticking) 18:57.
Third period
No scoring.
Penalties – Barkey, Ldn (interference) 9:55, Nicholl, Ldn (tripping) 15:55.
Shots on goal by
Erie 7 11 13–31
London 17 11 9–37
Power plays: Er 0-5. Ldn 1-3.
Goalies: Erliden, Er (L, 4-3). Elliott, Ldn (W, 1-0).
Referees – Aaron Neely, Andrew Wilmetts. Linesmen – Dustin McCrank, Nick Arcan.
Attendance – 9,036 (9,061).
Three stars: 1. Rene Van Bommel, Knights; 2. Austin Elliott, Knights; 3. Noah Erliden, Otters
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