London Knights Clinch Third Memorial Cup Championship
In an impressive display of skill and teamwork, the London Knights clinched their third Memorial Cup championship with a decisive 4-1 victory over the Medicine Hat Tigers in Rimouski, Quebec, on Saturday evening. The standout player for the Knights was Denver Barkey, a prospect for the Philadelphia Flyers, who netted two goals during the pivotal second period of the match.
Significant Rebound for London
This championship win marks a significant rebound for London, which faced disappointment the previous year after losing the final game to the host team, Saginaw. The Knights had previously secured the Memorial Cup titles in 2005 and 2016, solidifying their status in junior hockey.
Game Highlights
The scoring commenced midway into the first period with Jacob Julien finding the back of the net. Barkey and fellow teammate Easton Cowan added to the tally with two quick goals in just 1:40 early in the second frame, putting London ahead 3-0. Barkey then added another on a power play, increasing the lead to 4-0 just under eight minutes into the second period.
Medicine Hat’s Gavin McKenna was able to break through London’s defense, scoring early in the third period to spoil goaltender Austin Elliott’s chance for a shutout. Elliott was a crucial part of the Knights’ victory, making 31 saves throughout the game. In contrast, Harrison Meneghin of the Tigers stopped 20 shots on goal.
Road to the Final
Prior to this final matchup, the Knights had faced a setback against the WHL champion Medicine Hat earlier in the week, losing 3-1 in the round-robin phase. However, they rebounded strongly by defeating Moncton 5-2 in the semifinal, paving the way for this championship rematch.
The Knights’ Legacy
The Knights are owned by hockey veterans Dale and Mark Hunter, along with Basil McRea. Dale Hunter serves as both the president and head coach, achieving his third Memorial Cup title, thus equating with the legendary coach Don Hay’s record. Meanwhile, the Tigers have a historic legacy in the event, having previously won the Memorial Cup in consecutive years, 1987 and 1988.
