The Owen Sound Attack were eliminated from Memorial Cup contention after the Kootenay Ice beat them 7-3 Thursday night at the Hershey Center in Mississauga.
The Attack were hurting with star forward Joey Hishon was out and then found out Captain Garrett Wilson couldn't go either. That's a lot of fire power missing from the lineup. Then Coach Mark Reeds decided to play a hunch and started goaltender Scott Stajcer in place of Jordan Binnington in a move that had people scratching their heads.
But Reeds looked like a genius after the first period of play as goals by Cameron Brace and Jarrod Maidens put the Attack up 2-0 at the end of one period.
However, the wheels fell apart for the Attack in the second as the Ice scored an even strength goal, powerplay goal and shorthanded goal just 3:26 apart to take the lead 3-2. And that's the way the score would be at the end of two periods.
The Attack came out for the third still having a chance in this contest but another even strength goal, powerplay goal and shorthanded goal 3:46 apart would be lights out for the Attack. Binnington would come in in relief of Stajcer and Mike Halmo would score for Owen Sound just 38 seconds later. But that's as close as they would come.
The Attack would pull Binnington with about 3 minutes remaining but Cody Eakin scored his second of the game and third of the tournament to seal the victory.
The OHL Champion Attack are now eliminated and will finish fourth. The WHL Champion Ice move on to face Host Mississauga on Friday with the winner going on to meet the QMJHL Champions St John Sea Dogs on Sunday.
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