The team never knew the meaning of quit. The Owen Sound Attack did the unthinkable by defeating the Mississauga Majors on Sunday, May 15th, 2011, at the Hershey Centre in Game 7 of the OHL Championship. After defeating the Majors in Game 6 to tie the series at three games apiece, the Attack rolled into enemy territory with momentum but still facing tough adversity not having home ice advantage.
The Game
The Attack opened the score at 1-0 and would score a second go-ahead goal at 2-1 in the first period from players Mike Halmo and Jarrod Maidens. At a 2-2 tie the following two periods would then see a game of goaltending chicken take place between J.P. Anderson of the Majors, and Jordan Binnington of the Attack. Binnington had received his second consecutive start of the series after a stellar first-star performance in Game 6 that enabled his team to tie the series and send it back to Mississauga for Game 7. Once in overtime, Binnington would hold-off several shots until Maidens ended up scoring his second goal of the game and capping a phenomenal season for Owen Sound, a team that has now solidified itself as a major force to be reckoned with in the Ontario Hockey League.
Credit has to go to Jordan Binnington (who coach Mark Reeds referred to as "the goaltender of our future") for coming in to two games of immense must-win pressure and pulling out the victories. Teammate goaltenders Scott Stacjer and Michael Zador also have to commended for their excellent goaltending efforts in the OHL playoffs as well to secure series wins. Two-goal scorer Jarrod Maidens was awarded first-star of the game for his heroic overtime winner.
A Memorial Cup Favourite
With the downfall of the Majors in the OHL Championship, the team is undoubtedly feeling the sting of heading into the Memorial Cup Tournament as host and Eastern Conference winners instead of OHL Champions. The Owen Sound Attack will now enter the tournament on an incredible high, with a clear-cut opportunity to defeat the competition (which will include another round with the Majors) in the same building.
The 2011 OHL Championship series will go down as one of the most thrilling, and dramatic final playoff series in the league's history. The Owen Sound Attack emerged as the underdog victor that accomplished their goal through sheer heart, passion, fierce determination, and an inspirational never say die attitude.
Ryan Young - Ryan Young is a Film and Sports article/review writer, based in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada.
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