Habs Prospects
Canadiens Prospect Owen Beck Shines As Memorial Cup MVP
Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Beck had one final opportunity to make his mark on the Canadian Hockey League on Sunday evening, as the Saginaw Spirit faced the London Knights for the right to hoist the 104th Memorial Cup trophy.
It was the 12th time Beck and the Spirit faced the Knights this season, but if you ask the athletes in question they would tell you it was the only game that truly mattered.
With everything on the line and the spotlight on the two best teams in Junior hockey, it was Beck who rose to the challenge in the final CHL game of his career.
First Period Push By Owen Beck
Beck quickly set the tone for the game by scoring the opening goal for the Spirit, a timely marker that showed off his quick release and high-end anticipation.
HUGE goal for #GoHabsGo prospect Owen Beck.
He opens the scoring at the Memorial Cup final with a quick shot to put Saginaw up 1-0 over London. #MemorialCup pic.twitter.com/DwPC2sZEGq
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) June 3, 2024
He followed it up with the hit of the tournament when he stole Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan’s soul. Cowan was sent flying across the ice with a thunderous (and legal) body check.
Beck has built up a nasty streak in his game during the last two seasons in the OHL, something that should serve him well as he prepares to begin his professional hockey career in earnest.
It’s… beautiful.
After scoring the first goal of the game, #GoHabsGo prospect Owen Beck obliterates #GoLeafsGo prospect Easton Cowan with a huge hit. #MemorialCup pic.twitter.com/gkjlJHhZk2
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) June 3, 2024
Beck wasn’t done there.
He put a fine point on his fantastic start to the game by scoring Saginaw’s second goal of the game with less than a minute remaining in the first period. The goal was Beck’s fourth of the tournament, but more importantly, it rewarded Saginaw for one of the most dominant efforts you could possibly imagine against a team as talented as the Knights.
#GoHabsGo prospect Owen Beck can’t be stopped tonight!
He scores the second goal of the game to give Saginaw a 2-0 lead over London.
This is Beck’s last career game in the CHL, and it’s definitely a memorable one. pic.twitter.com/DURQ0YMO0o
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) June 3, 2024
The Knights would go on to tie the game late in the third period, setting up yet another classic Memorial Cup final. Despite Saginaw’s overall dominance, London’s lineup was simply too talented to stay quiet for three straight periods.
With London carrying the momentum, the Spirit made one final push, which led to a dramatic tournament-winning goal with just 21 seconds left to play in the third period by Spirit veteran Josh Bloom.
WOW.
Saginaw scores with just 21 seconds left in the third period.
WHAT A GAME.#MemorialCup pic.twitter.com/shANcRT2lX
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) June 3, 2024
With yet another great Memorial Cup final in the books, Beck officially finishes his CHL career as a Memorial Cup Champion, a fitting end for a player who gave his all every single night.
The cherry on the Disney-like night came shortly thereafter when Beck was rightfully named the Memorial Cup’s Most Valuable Player.
A perfect end to a great night, season, and CHL career for #GoHabsGo prospect Owen Beck, as he’s named the Memorial Cup MVP.
A fitting honour for one of the hardest-working players in the league. pic.twitter.com/TBDLDgWxvG
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) June 3, 2024
