Sunday, December 20, 2009

12/19 Recap: Crawford continues career campaign

Nick Crawford scored two goals and added two assists on Saturday as Barrie won their 21st straight by edgeing Sudbury, 5-4. Crawford's game winner gives him a career-high eight goals on the season, while raising his point total to an even 40 through 34 games - good for 2nd overall among OHL defensemen. Marcus Foligno (-1) recorded a power play assist for the Wolves to up his numbers to 4-11-15 through 35 games.

Zack Kassian ended his four-game scoring slump with a pair of third period assists as Peterborough defeated Ottawa, 4-2. Kassian enters a twelve-day break with eight goals and 25 points through 28 games, and is expected by many to return a very motivated presence when the Petes hit the ice on the 31st. Asking #9 to be a "presence" and not "leader" seems proper because getting back to square one with a fierce on-ice attitude is his most effective way of exemplifying the "C" for the Petes.

In the WHL, Brayden McNabb scored a goal and three assists as Kootenay dumped Lethbridge, 6-1. All seven goals were scored on the power play, with McNabb netting his 11th of the year late in the second period.

In NCAA play, Drew MacKenzie was +2 with three shots on goal as Vermont defeated Dartmouth, 4-3.

Justin Jokinen finished +1 as Minnesota State lost to Nebraska-Omaha, 2-1.

Brad Eidsness made 14 saves through a period and a half, and Corey Fienhage finished even as North Dakota lost an exhibition tilt with the U.S. U20 World Junior entry, 4-2. SabresProspects first-round endorsement last June, Chris Kreider, scored a pair of goals to earn #1 star honors for Team USA.

In the USHL, Mark Adams was even with a holding minor in Chicago's 4-1 loss to Omaha.