Blake Montgomery and his London Knights teammates continued their dominant run with a resounding 4-0 victory over the Guelph Storm at the Sleeman Center. Goaltender Austin Elliott stole the show, recording his first Ontario Hockey League shutout with a masterful 28-save performance.
Elliott, who previously notched six shutouts in the Western Hockey League, was a brick wall between the pipes, frustrating the Storm's attack at every turn. The Knights' defense was equally impressive, limiting Guelph's scoring opportunities and providing Elliott with solid support.
The offensive fireworks were ignited by the dynamic trio of Easton Cowan, Denver Barkey, and Kasper Halttunen. Each player registered two points in the win, showcasing their offensive prowess and chemistry.
Cowan, who extended his remarkable regular-season point streak to 51 games, opened the scoring with a laser-like wrist shot just five minutes into the game. He received a pinpoint pass from Halttunen and made no mistake, burying the puck past Guelph goaltender Brayden Gillespie.
The Knights maintained their 1-0 lead for much of the game, thanks to Elliott's heroics and a disciplined defensive effort. Late in the second period, Rene Van Bommell sprung Noah Read on a breakaway. Although Gillespie stopped Read's initial shot, the rookie forward pounced on the rebound and knocked it home for his third goal of the season – all three of which have come at the Sleeman Center.
Halttunen, making his season debut for the Knights after a stint with the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League, continued to impress. Early in the third period, he set up captain Denver Barkey for a tap-in goal, extending London's lead to 3-0.
Oliver Bonk added the finishing touch with a power-play goal late in the third, securing the Knights' 11th consecutive victory and their 14th win in their last 15 games.
With this dominant performance, the Knights sent a clear message to the rest of the OHL: they are a force to be reckoned with. Their blend of offensive firepower, defensive solidity, and stellar goaltending makes them a serious contender for the championship.
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