‘Sh***y Feeling, To Be Honest’: Maple Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan and Canada’s World Juniors end in another disappointing quarter-final exit

On By Littum

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan and Team Canada’s World Juniors wrapped up Thursday night in the nation’s capital.

Canada lost 4-3 to the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals in what was a thriller from start to finish. The Canadians were down 3-1 entering the second period before scoring back-to-back goals to tie the game.

After a knee from Andrew Gibson, the Czech Republic’s Adam Jecho found the back of the net with 40 seconds left in the third period. Canada failed to score and fell to the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals in back-to-back years, the first time that has happened at the World Juniors.

Cowan’s tournament finishes with one goal and two assists for three points in five games with Canada. That’s tied for the most points on the team with Winnipeg Jets prospect Bayden Yager.

This will be the last time Cowan plays in the World Juniors with Canada. He finishes with two goals and three assists in 10 games with the team over the last two tournaments.

“It stinks. It hurts a lot. I love those guys in there,” Cowan told TSN’s Kenzie Lalonde after the loss. “Strange feeling, to be honest.”

Related: ‘Atta Boy, Cowboy’: Cole Eiserman mocks Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan as USA defeats Canada at World Juniors

Cowan returns to the OHL’s London Knights, where he has a streak of 56 games over two seasons. He has 94 points (38 goals, 56 assists) during the streak, which the CHL and OHL consider unofficial.

The 19-year-old has 15 goals and 13 assists in 20 games for London this season.

Related: Maple Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan Breaks Unofficial OHL Point Streak Record, Gets Congratulated by Doug Gilmour

Maple Leafs fifth-round pick (151st overall) Miroslav Holinka advances to the semifinals with the Czech Republic. He has had a strong tournament, as has Cowan, scoring a goal and two assists in five games.

In 23 games with the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings this season, Holinka has 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points. The Czech Republic meets the USA in the semi-finals on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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