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The Canadian world junior team selection camp starts next week.
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Will Easton Cowan’s incredible Ontario Hockey League point streak still be rolling by the time he checks into Ottawa? His 54-gamer has been on hold since a lower-body injury suffered in Saginaw Nov. 23 forced him to miss the past four contests.
“I feel pretty good,” the London Knights star said ahead of a mid-week Teddy Bear Toss matchup with Owen Sound Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. at Canada Life Place. “We’re taking it day-by-day and seeing what it feels like (game day). I’ve been on the ice a couple of times. Just seeing how it feels each and every day and hopefully, it gets better.”
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This is another twist and turn in the Maple Leafs first-rounder’s unofficial pursuit of Doug Gilmour’s 41-year-old OHL record 55-game point streak. Now, he has to shake off some rust to match and surpass the Toronto legend.
“It’s not too bad,” Cowan said when asked if this week-and-a-half pause was frustrating. “It (an injury) happens, so you need to have a positive mindset.”
MORE FIREPOWER: The Canadian Hockey League’s top-ranked Knights still won all four games Cowan and sniper Kasper Halttunen, who was suspended for a check from behind in Saginaw, sat out. They scored 21 goals in a three-game eastern Ontario swing and are riding an 18-game heater.
“It was a really good three wins,” Cowan said. “(They were) team efforts and character wins. It shows the depth we have and how many good players we have on the roster. It was good to see that.
“We’re all happy but we all know we have to keep going in the right direction.”
Over the course of the entire streak, no one came closer than the Attack to ending it. On Nov. 22, they were up by two goals with less than two minutes left before London rallied to tie it and win in the shootout.
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“They’re a good team, they’ve got a good goalie and play their systems well,” Cowan said. “We have to get eyes in front of the goalie (Canadian world junior invitee Carter George) and we should be good.”
BACK FOR MORE: Cowan is returning for his second world junior tournament as is London defenceman Oliver Bonk, who will play it in his hometown. Denver Barkey was a late cut a year ago and was invited again while blue-liner Sam Dickinson’s 15-goal, 45-point start makes his inclusion a no-brainer.
Few Canadian world junior rosters have four players from the same club – but the Knights have a real shot of doing it this time.
“Obviously, it’s very special to have those guys going with me,” Cowan said. “We’re all very excited. Give it your all at camp. Everyone’s there for a reason. There are lots of skilled players and good all-around players in the league.”
The reigning OHL MVP was disappointed in his personal performance at Sweden last year. The Canadians lost 3-2 to Czechia in a quarterfinal stunner but it appears Cowan has moved past it.
He has a second chance at a gold medal and another OHL championship.
“Everybody (at camp) gets a chance to wear that (maple) leaf,” he said. “Then, it’s just going out there and proving how good we can be (at the event).”
KNIGHTSWATCH
Wednesday: Teddy Bear toss game vs. Owen Sound, 6:30 p.m. at Canada Life Place. All three Attack meetings have gone beyond regulation.
Friday: vs. Oshawa, 7 p.m. at Canada Life Place. The Knights swept the Generals in a lopsided OHL final last May.
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