MISSISSAUGA, Ontario- The Ontario Hockey League Playoff Champions the Owen Sound Attack scored single goals in the first and second periods and three in the final stanza on their way to a shutout of the Western Hockey League Kootenay Ice at day two of the MasterCard Memorial Cup. Owen Sound’s goal tender Jordan Binnington swept aside 29 shots to gain the shutout win and recognition as the game’s number one star in post game honors. The Memorial Cup is emblematic of junior hockey supremacy in the Canadian Hockey League which made up of the top three junior leagues in Canada. The playoff champions from the Quebec Major Junior League, the Ontario Hockey League and the Western Hockey League are squaring off with the host team Mississauga in the 93rd edition of the Memorial Cup. The teams play an initial round robin with the round one winner receiving a bye into the finals while the second and third place teams then vie for the other finals’ slot. Robby Mignardi started the Attack onslaught with a one-timer off a pass from Andrew Shaw that got past Ice goalie Nathan Lieuwen at the 16:49 mark of the first period. There was no other scoring and the 1-0 lead held going into the intermission. Next up Owen Sound’s Roman Berdnikov got an early strike in period two at 3:30 from the right faceoff circle. Again the goal was the only score in the period despite the Ice hammering 15 shots at Binnington. His outstanding second period work in net alone probably ensured the win for the OHL playoff champions. While Lieuwen got the loss in goal for Kootenay the cause of the defeat probably belonged more to the Ice offense rather than to the defense and goalie despite the 5-0 score. For example, the Ice went scoreless on three straight power plays in the opening period and outshot the Attack 15-6 in period two. Still they only trailed 2-0 and were in the game as they skated off to ready for the final period. Despite several early third period chances Kootenay couldn’t get the puck past Binnington and eventually the Owen Sound Attack’s attack broke through. Mignardi scored again and his strike was followed by goals from Grant Andrews and Andrew Fritsch as they pulled away for the shutout win.
In Friday’s action the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League edged the host team the Mississauga St Michaels Majors 4-3. The Ice and Majors will play the third game of the series Sunday with a 7:00 PM faceoff. Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.