Julien's late goal lifts unbeaten Knights past winless Oceanic at Memorial Cup
Star forward Easton Cowan beat an Oceanic defender with a nice between the legs deke, passed the puck to a trailing Kasper Halttunen, who quickly passed back across the ice to Julien for a net-front tap-in that easily beat netminder Mathis Langevin.
Henry Brzustewicz and Cowan, with an empty-netter with under two minutes left, also scored for the Ontario Hockey League champions who beat the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League champion Moncton Wildcats 3-2 in overtime on Saturday.
Eriks Mateiko scored a second-period goal for the Oceanic, who lost their tournament opener 5-4 to the Western Hockey League champion Medicine Hat Tigers on Friday.
The Knights outshot the Oceanic 36-29 and went 0-for-1 on the power play. The Oceanic were 0-for-4 with the man advantage.
Knights' netminder Austin Elliott made 28 saves, while Langevin made 33 saves.
The first period was scoreless and the teams were tied 1-1 heading into the third period.
Winnipeg Jets Game Days
On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.
The tournament-host Oceanic will play the Moncton Wildcats on Wednesday needing a win to stay alive in the Memorial Cup hunt.
With the win, the Knights are guaranteed at least a berth in the championship semifinals.
UP NEXT
The Medicine Hat Tigers (1-0) face the Moncton Wildcats (0-1) on Monday, while the Knights (2-0) face the Tigers on Tuesday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2025.
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