The London Knights beat the Moncton Wildcats 3-2 in overtime at the 2025 Memorial Cup from Sun Life Financial Colissee in Rimouski, Quebec on Saturday. In the first game of the tournament for both teams, the Knights needed overtime to be victorious. Sam O’Reilly of Toronto, Ontario, a first round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers, scored the game-winning goal at 4:23 of the extra period from Toronto Maple Leafs first round pick Easton Cowan of Mount Brydges, Ontario and Oliver Bonk of Ottawa, Ontario.
O’Reilly and Cowan led the Knights with two point each. O’Reilly had two goals, and Cowan had two assists. The other Knights goal scorer was Kasper Halttunen.
Cowan has been electric for the Knights over the last two seasons. In 2023-24, he had 34 goals and 62 assists for 96 points in the regular season and 10 goals and 24 assists for 34 points in 18 playoff games. In 2024-25, Cowan only played 46 games, and had 29 goals and 40 assists for 69 points. In the playoffs, Cowan had 13 goals and 26 assists for 39 points in only 17 games.
The Knights will have a challenge on Sunday. That is because they are playing their second game of a back to back. London will face the host Rimouski Oceanic. The Oceanic will look to rebound after losing 5-4 to the Medicine Hat Tigers on Friday to open the tournament.