Easton Cowan point streak hits 49 games as London Knights score 8 in wild win

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GUELPH – Max Namestnikov exploded with four goals.

Jett Luchanko, the Flyers first-rounder and London native, racked up four assists.

But all the Guelph Storm’s firepower was overshadowed by a potent London Knights line that often flies under the radar.

Evan Van Gorp, Will Nicholl and Noah Read combined for four goals and 12 points that led to a wild ninth straight victory –  8-7 before 4,769 Sunday at Sleeman Centre.

“I like when teams underestimate us,” said Van Gorp, who had a goal and five points with a plus-5 rating. “I think it’s an advantage and I think it gives us an edge.”

Every opposing coach tries to shut down Knights stars like Easton Cowan, Denver Barkey, Sam Dickinson and Oliver Bonk.

Guelph did a pretty good job but couldn’t handle London’s depth.

“They generate a lot of offence,” London coach Dale Hunter said. “They’ve been playing well this whole season. They’re up in scoring on our team. They have speed and are playing as line passing the puck really well.”

Read is the new addition to the line. The 2023 10th-round pick from St. Catharines scored his first two OHL goals and chipped in an assist Sunday. He now has six points in his first six major junior games.

“They’re great players,” the 17-year-old said of Van Gorp and Nicholl. “They’re so fast and they battle hard. It’s a pleasure to play with them and nice to contribute.”

They’re all at a point-per-game pace or better this season. It’s a luxury few teams have when their big guns go quiet.

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STREAK ALIVE: Easton Cowan extended his personal point streak to 49 games but this was one of the closest calls.

The Maple Leafs top prospect scored an empty-net goal with 21.9 seconds left in the third period. It stood up as the winner after Guelph’s Parker Snelgrove replied with little more than three seconds to go on the clock.

Cowan made a half-dozen terrific passes – including a couple on one shift to set up snakebit captain Denver Barkey – earlier in the game to no avail. But he was out on the ice in the final minute to defend before he was able to hit the empty cage.

“Everybody wants the streak,” Dale Hunter said, “but he’s a team guy and team comes first. He wants to win.”

Lately, he has been able to enjoy both and his mates are rooting for him to pass Doug Gilmour’s historic 55-gamer, even though this one has extended over two seasons.

“Easton is a very special player,” Van Gorp said, “so to see him get (to 49) is amazing.”

OHL DEBUT: New Knights forward Blake Montgomery arrived in London Friday night during the second period of the home win over North Bay.

The 19-year-old made his major junior debut Sunday after one practice and two weeks between games. He didn’t figure in the scoring but it’s easy to see the potential there.

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“I like to play fast,” the 6-foot-4, 187-pounder said. “I think I have a goal-scoring touch, but I’m also a playmaker. Watching hockey growing up in Maryland, I was a big fan of (Alex) Ovechkin. I watched him score all those goals and I think it was inspirational.”

Montgomery had been committed to University of Wisconsin and started the season with the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League. But the root of his move hinged on leaving Nebraska.

“As I was making that decision, the whole CHL and NCAA (rule changes) started to open up,” he said. “London started reaching out and once I knew I could still go to school (in the future), it was almost a no-brainer.

“It gives more options to more guys.”

Montgomery’s older brother Bryce was a defenceman with the Knights from 2019-23. That made the move more comfortable.

“He told me they expect you to be a pro in London,” Blake said. “There are high expectations but if you come in and play your game, they will let you play (a big role). I hope I can help the boys win and be a part of it. It’s a lot different coming from the USHL because these guys here play at a higher level.

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“I can learn a lot from them and hopefully help, too.”

AROUND THE RINK: London goalie Austin Elliott surrendered seven goals but improved to 6-0 since arriving from Saskatoon. He wasn’t his sharpest, but made a couple of clutch saves . . . Guelph scored on its first two shots of the game and Nicholl replied on London’s first shot . . . Knights defenceman Henry Brzustewicz has back-to-back two-goal games after going his first 14 outings without a single tally . . . Knights rookie Logan Hawery and prospect Caleb Mitchell of the London Nationals were part of Canada White’s gold-medal win at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge this week in Sarnia. They beat Canada Red 3-1 in the final . . . London’s Ryder Boulton served the first of a two-game suspension for a head check on Troops defender Wyatt Kennedy near the end of London’s 6-2 win over North Bay Friday. Did he deserve it? It didn’t look that way. . . . Will London forward Landon Sim’s suspension for a verbal altercation in Sault Ste. Marie end with two games? The league calls the situation still under review and the Knights have no idea what will happen.

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rpyette@postmedia.com

OHL HOCKEY

Knights 8, Storm 7

London goals: Henry Brzustewicz (2), Noah Read (2), Will Nicholl, Jared Woolley, Evan Van Gorp, Easton Cowan

Guelph goals: Max Namestnikov (4), Cam Allen, Vilmer Alriksson, Parker Snelgrove

Next: The Knights face Sarnia Friday, 7 p.m. at Canada Life Place.

Sunday at Sleeman Centre

Knights 8, Storm 7

First period
1., Guelph, Namestnikov 3 (Luchanko, Budnick) 0:37
2. Guelph, Allen 4 (Luchanko) 0:59
3. London, Nicholl 6 (Bonk, Van Gorp) 1:14
4. London, Brzustewicz 3 (Dickinson, Van Gorp) 6:45
5. Guelph, Alriksson 4 (Luchanko) 13:58
Penalty – Allen, Gue (cross-checking) 14:14.

Second period
6. London, Brzustewicz 4 (Read, Van Gorp) 2:13 (pp)
7. London, Woolley 2 (Van Gorp, Nicholl) 7:55
8. Guelph, Namestnikov 4 (Stevens, Karabela) 12:35 (pp)
9. London, Read 1 (Dickinson, Nicholl) 15:56
Penalties – Karabela, Gue (high-sticking) 0:13, Jenken, Ldn (hooking) 8:40, Woolley, Ldn (slashing) 10:56.

Third period
10. Guelph, Namestnikov 5 (Alriksson, Stevens) 3:57
11. London, Van Gorp 8 (Nurmi, Woolley) 9:19
12. Guelph, Namestnikov 6 (Alriksson, Luchanko) 10:11
13. London, Read 2 (Nicholl, Bonk) 13:39
14. London, Cowan 10 (Dickinson) 19:38 (en)
15. Guelph, Snelgrove 5 (Skvortsov, ) 19:56
Penalties – Van Bommel, Ldn, Namestnikov, Gue (roughing) 3:57.

Shots on goal by
London 9 13 10–32
Guelph 11 9 6–26

Power plays: Ldn 1-2. Gue 1-2.

Goalies: Elliott, Ldn (W, 6-0). Gillespie, Gue (L, 5-8).

Referees – Jarrett Burton, Jarrod Lucoe. Linesmen – Meckenzie Burton, Steve Walker.

Attendance – 4,769

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