MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — The Saint John Sea Dogs can simplify this year’s MasterCard Memorial Cup with a win against the Owen Sound Attack on Monday.
The tournament bracket currently favours the Sea Dogs, who could earn a bye straight through to Sunday’s final with a win on Monday. A win by the Attack, on the other hand, puts them in the driver’s seat to get the bye, but doesn’t come with the same guarantee as it would for Saint John.
Without overstating all the mathematical implications of an Owen Sound win, both teams will be looking to make their road to the final much easier in a battle between the tournament’s only two unbeaten teams.
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“When we got here we obviously told our kids about the scenarios and our goal was to win three games and get to the finals,” Saint John head coach Gerard Gallant said. “If it takes less that would be great. But we just worry about one game at a time.”
While Gallant and Owen Sound head coach Mark Reeds’ teams battle on the ice, hockey fans are reminded the two previously battled in the past. Gallant and Reeds dropped the gloves in a National Hockey League game during their playing careers. If nothing else, it makes for an interesting story.
Can the Attack get by without Joey Hishon?
The Attack forward has been ruled out for Monday’s game and his status for the remainder of the MasterCard Memorial Cup remains uncertain. He underwent a baseline concussion test after taking a hit from Kootenay captain Brayden McNabb in Saturday’s game.
There’s no question Hishon is an impact player and the Attack’s chances are reduced with him out of the lineup. Hishon has been known for embellishing to draw penalties, but there was no faking the blood that spilled when he lay on the ice.
Hishon spent Sunday morning watching the movie Hall Pass while his teammates practiced. The Sea Dogs were hopeful to have him in the lineup Monday.
“He’s one of the best players in this tournament,” Sea Dogs forward Michael Kirkpatrick said. “(Owen Sound) is still good, the team’s still deep without him.”
Can Saint John’s offence break through on Binnington?
All Binnington does is win. The sophomore goaltender came in to save the Attack’s season in Game 6 of the Ontario Hockey League final and hasn’t lost since. His last performance, a 5-0 shutout win over the Ice, ranks as one of his best performances in his young career.
“I think I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing,” Binnington said. “I’m going to be patient and see what happens because I don’t really know their players very well.”
The Sea Dogs are the most dynamic offensive team in the tournament with some of the most skilled forwards in Kirkpatrick, Jonathan Huberdeau and Zack Phillips. If any team has the skill to break through, it’s the Sea Dogs.
Kirkpatrick doesn’t anticipate changing much from their game when facing a hot goaltender like Binnington.
“He’s excellent,” Kirkpatrick said. “I think we have to get a little bit of traffic in front of him — maybe get some more shots from weird angles and down low and crash the net a little bit.”
Which team will assert itself physically?
While the Attack imposed their will against Kootenay, Saint John has the ability to do the same.
The Sea Dogs aren’t the typical Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team based around a few star players and a lack of sandpaper. Saint John will answer the bell physically with players such as Alexandre Beauregard, Stephen MacAuley and Eric Gelinas. Even their star, Huberdeau, isn’t one to shy away from a confrontation.
Whichever team can impose its will and win the battle in the trenches will likely come out on top.
How important is the first goal?
Both of these teams scored first in their tournament-opening wins. Saint John’s lead lasted a little more than five minutes before Mississauga tied it, while the Attack only added to theirs. The Kootenay Ice, meanwhile, scored first on Sunday, but weren’t able to hold off the Majors.
Obviously, scoring the first goal isn’t the be-all, end-all, but it certainly allows the team that does so to force the play to come to them and establish their game-plan. Getting on the board first could be crucial in determining which team takes the next step forward towards a bye straight to Sunday’s final.
