Played on May 12, 2025
Ontario Hockey League
Game Played in Tribute Communities Centre
General Game Notes: This was a high scoring game that showed the depths of both teams and why they are in the finals. London was able to come away with the victory tonight due to their start, scoring the first three goals of the game put the Generals in their heels for the rest of it and forced them to battle back.
Henry Brzustewicz (D, R, 6’2″, 204, London Knights, 02/09/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: As an oversized offensive blue liner, Brzustewicz is at his best with the puck on his stick, and his play style is that of an aggressive puck moving defenseman. He showed the ability to produce scoring chances sporadically. Brzustewicz aggressiveness causes mistakes and turnovers, and when he is in his own end he often looks lost, lacking the assertiveness to attack on loose pucks. At time he gets over shadowed offensively to that of his counter part in Dickinson but what Brzustewicz provides is a stable defensive zone structure that not a lot of offensive defenseman can provide.
Sam Dickinson (D, L, 6’3″, 205, London Knights, 06/07/2006)
Game Rating
A
Sam Dickinson showcased an impressive skill set on the ice, with exceptional skating abilities and speed allowing him to excel in multiple facets of his game. His ability to join and facilitate zone entries was particularly notable, as well as his potent point shot that he can get through with impressive lateral movement. Dickinson’s greatest asset is his intelligence and awareness on the ice, often making smart decisions to limit mistakes despite an aggressive offensive profile. Defensively, Dickinson relies on sound positional awareness rather than physicality, but he can break plays up and get in the way of opponents. He also demonstrated great ability to use his feet to gain excellent positions offensively, a key factor in his goal-scoring ability. When at full strength, Dickinson is a well-rounded threat who can defend with his size and lead the rush.
1 Viewing
Comments: For the last time this year this needs to be said about Dickinson, he is an elite defenseman on the offensive side of the game, he is an incredibly valuable offensive play driver. being so good offensively is not without its drawbacks, though, as his aggressive style causes him to sometimes make downright boneheaded plays with the puck. He plays mistake prone hockey, and while his offensive production typically makes up for his mistakes, you simply do not want him to get too comfortable. Mistake prone might be a bad word but naturally when you have the puck on your stick more than others, turnovers are likely to happen. He likes to make plays and with his skill, they work 90% of the time, at the next level they may not.
Easton Cowan (RW, L, 5’11”, 190, London Knights, 05/20/2005)
Game Rating
A
Cowan’s impressive skills on the ice are evident in his ability to create scoring opportunities. His speed, hands, and creativity allow him to find openings behind defenders and beat goalies with precision. While he may not be the largest physical presence, Cowan makes up for it with his quickness and agility, often leaving slower defenders struggling to keep up. He excels at reading plays and supporting defensively when needed, but also isn’t afraid to take calculated risks to create chances.
1 Viewing
Comments: If you want to talk about best players in the game, Cowan is in this conversation every single night. He does a good job at creating offense with his creativity and ability to drive. Scored the opening goal tonight creating a steal all alone on the forecheck, then caught the goalie off guard with a little back hand shot. This goal was surprising to all given the turnover happened deep in the other teams zone when they had full control, and to the goalie who did not see the play developing like this. Cowan hounds like crazy and is a big reason as to why the Knights are in the position that they are in.
Kasper Halttunen (RW, R, 6’4″, 215, London Knights, 06/07/2005)
Game Rating
A-
Halttunen’s playing style is characterized by his ability to protect the puck effectively, drawing defenders into traps while making precision passes to teammates in scoring positions. He utilizes his size to his advantage, taking contact while maintaining vision of the ice. While he could benefit from improvements in speed, particularly straight-line speed and agility, Halttunen’s physical dominance compensates for these limitations. His overall package suggests potential for growth, with the ability to expand his threat beyond stationary play.
1 Viewing
Comments: The big man found himself all alone in the slot and with a great feed from his line mate, Halttunen buried home a one timer from the low slot area. He does a good job at finding quiet space despite him being one of the larger players on the ice. He is able to creep into spaces but also get plays and shots off under duress as well. He has a unique combination of being able to skate with the puck at a great lateral speed and be big enough to take contact and keep momentum. Only knock tonight was his offense was more dynamic than his want to back check into his own zone.
Jacob Julien (C, L, 6’4″, 190, London Knights, 09/12/2004)
Game Rating
B+
Julien’s skillset was on display as he showcased his creativity in front of the net. He made a clever backdoor pass to create a scoring chance, and then capitalized on the rebound when the goalie left the crease. His size and strength at the top of the net allowed him to outmuscle opponents, while also demonstrating his willingness to battle for pucks.
1 Viewing
Comments: Julien scored one of the more crucial goals in the game given it was short handed and put his team up by three, really putting doubt into the other teams game. He was able to score this goal creating a turnover and winning a 50/50 puck where the defenseman decided to pinch. After he won these battles, he went in on a two on one with his teams best player, he looked off his teammate, now needing to score, found a way to get it through the goalies legs. His leg speed is not the best but he is willing to sacrifice with physicality and maybe he is not the most skilled player on the ice, but he showed he can bury when it counts. He is at his best in his own zone.
Rene Van Bommel (LW, L, 5’11”, 184, London Knights, 05/14/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Van Bommel was able to show tonight that he has got good enough vision, hands, and offensive abilities to produce scoring chances but at an inconsistent rate. He is a bit undersized, and while he brings effort and grit to every shift he plays on, he simply is not a physical player, nor is he a strong enough asset defensively to give him value in a shut down situation in his own end. His work ethic though is different and he will not quit on a play.
Luca D’Amato (D, R, 5’9″, 159, Oshawa Generals, 08/18/2004)
Game Rating
A-
D’Amato showcased a well-rounded skill set on the ice tonight, demonstrating both offensive and defensive capabilities. His ability to create scoring opportunities with a goal and assist highlights his skills as an attacking force. However, it’s his defensive prowess that truly sets him apart, where he excels at zone exits and can facilitate puck movement forward due to his agility.
1 Viewing
Comments: After D’Amato creeped down in the slot back side, he did a great job after not getting the puck, staying at the net front. This was great because later the shot did happen and the rebound landed right at his stick where he was able to win a loose puck battle for his teams second goal of the game. This style of play is not usually what separates D’Amato from his peers but it was good to see him fight for positioning rather that using his skating on the perimeter to create scoring chances. Where he does a good job is rushing the puck up the ice with his head up scanning the ice for the next play.
Luke Torrance (LW, L, 6’0″, 209, Oshawa Generals, 03/30/2004)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Torrance picked up an important goal tonight cutting his teams deficit to one late in the game. Scored dancing through the defensive set up and getting a quick shot on net that beat the goalie clean from a bit of a distance. He has decent size and strength for a forward, and uses a blend of that size and strength as well as well above average speed to create enough time and space with the puck to score. He is more of a shoot first player who is not quite as refined as a playmaker, meaning he will not exactly drive his lines offensive play, but he is strong enough and fast enough to create by himself and he has the versatility to have a creative side to his game.
Colby Barlow (LW, L, 6’1″, 195, Oshawa Generals, 02/01/2005)
Game Rating
B+
Colby Barlow displayed a well-rounded skill set on the ice tonight, making him a valuable asset to his team. His shot was a notable highlight, as demonstrated by his successful one-timer goal from the power play position. Barlow’s ability to create space and find scoring opportunities is complemented by his intelligent positioning and strong physicality. He excels at transitioning quickly through the opponent’s defense and can be a formidable presence on the defensive end, stifling opponents’ chances with his suffocating style.
1 Viewing
Comments: A sx on five goal where he was able to tip a point shot home and give his team life. Barlow was able to show that he is a natural power forward, and with above average size and shooting abilities, that seems to have the most success along the walls and behind the net where he can show show his puck protection skills. He is a smart player, and puts himself in the right places on offense, with a willingness to stick himself in front of the net and dig for less flashy goals. His skating is very strong, but he needs to use his speed and size more effectively and consistently to extend his possession time.
Owen Griffin (C, R, 5’10”, 160, Oshawa Generals, 04/08/2007)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: On the power play, Griffin found himself basically net front, maybe a little off to the side, and was able to tip home a shot from the point for his teams first goal of the game. Even though he plays a skilled, agile game, and being one of the smaller players on the ice, he was still able to find a way to the net front and create a screen and get a stick on a point shot. This type of goal really does a good job at describing Griffins game, he excels on the perimeter where he can use his feet to escape and create width within the ice sheet, but he is also not afraid to get in the mix to make something happen.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images