Jordan Binnington could start in net for Owen Sound ... or not.

BY PATRICK KING
sportsnet.ca

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- Secrecy is the name of the MasterCard Memorial Cup's second game.

The Ontario Hockey League champion Owen Sound Attack get set to face the Western Hockey League winning Kootenay Ice in a game with so many elements yet to be decided before the puck drops.

The Owen Sound Attack will start Jordan Binnington for tonight's MasterCard Memorial Cup game against Kootenay.

The Attack's three-headed monster between the pipes remained a mystery following Saturday's practice as none of the three goaltenders, nor their head coach, would divulge which goaltender will start the tournament.

Watch the Attack-Ice game on Rogers Sportsnet, tonight at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.

Owen Sound head coach Mark Reeds commended his trio of goaltenders for their professionalism and dedication to the team's cause, saying, "If they want to be individual, they should play golf or tennis."

Reeds was just as guarded when talking about how his team plans on neutralizing Kootenay's top player: Cody Eakin.

"They have the last change and they have the home ice advantage so we'll see what they want him to play against," Reeds said. "We'll obviously try to get some matchups against him."

When pressed further as to which line he wanted to play against Eakin's, Reeds remained secretive.

"We'll keep that to ourselves right now and keep our game-plan as close to our vest as possible."

Which of the three Owen Sound goaltenders will start?

The smart money is on Jordan Binnington who started Games 6 and 7, both wins for the Attack, in the OHL final. Binnington is the horse that got the Attack to the MasterCard Memorial Cup as OHL champions and played the majority of the regular season games after regular starter Scott Stajcer suffered a hip injury. The team acquired Michael Zador following Stajcer's injury and all three goalies played at least two games in the final.

As unique as the situation may be, the most interesting aspect is the fact the three goaltenders handle it with such grace. When all three were asked which would start, they all stated not to know. Reeds did say the goaltenders were aware which would play against Kootenay, but that the information was not going to be shared with the media.

Regardless how the situation plays out, Reeds will either be a genius or come under fire with his decision.

Can the Kootenay Ice carry over their road success?

The Ice were one of the better teams on the road during the playoffs and won 15 of their last 16 games before taking the championship. Making matters even more impressive is the fact the Ice won in three of the WHL's toughest buildings in Saskatoon, Medicine Hat and Portland.

Playing in an unfamiliar arena against an unfamiliar foe will hardly be anything new to the Ice. Non-conference teams play each other just once a season in the WHL, meaning Kootenay and Portland played one time during the regular season before going up against them in the finals.

The Ice may be the best prepared team to play against a team in a building they're unfamiliar with.

Can the Attack neutralize Cody Eakin?

Of the four teams Owen Sound beat to capture the OHL title, none boasted a forward with the dynamic skill-set of Cody Eakin. The Ice forward is that rare talent that can beat a team offensively, defensively, in the faceoff circle and with a devastating hit. Eakin is truly a jack of all trades.

Owen Sound was able to slow Mississauga's top line of Casey Cizikas, Devante Smith-Pelly and Justin Shugg late in the championship series, but not before the trio did a lot of damage offensively. In a one-game showdown, Reeds will need to find a way to prevent the damage from Eakin early. Three periods may be too much time to keep Eakin under wraps.

Will Nathan Lieuwen retain his dominant post-season play?

The Kootenay goaltender emerged as a catalyst in his team's WHL championship, but question marks still linger. Lieuwen only now became the goaltender the team thought it drafted in the first round of the bantam draft in 2006. He finally stepped up his game this season, but started slow in the playoffs.

The biggest concern that needs to be addressed is in front of Lieuwen. Although he took his game to the next level, it wasn't without help from the defence in front of him. Kootenay's defence limited second-chance opportunities, which makes it easier for a goaltender to succeed. If the defence plays just as strong in front of him, there's no reason to believe Lieuwen can't succeed.

Which Joey Hishon will show up?

The Attack's best player needs to be their best player in this game. Hishon was far too quiet through the first couple of games against Mississauga and scored just once in the final against the Majors. The dynamically-gifted forward has the ability to win games for his team, but he can just as easily become the invisible man. Owen Sound's success relies on him being the former.