Tuesday, March 23, 2010

3/23 Recap: Kassian cashes in win; Eagle trio teetering

Zack Kassian scored a goal and an assist Tuesday as Windsor outshot Erie 58-19 en route to taking a 7-6 win and a commanding three-games-to-one advantage in their OHL first round series. Skating primarily on a line with Eric Wellwood and Stephen Johnston, Kassian hobbled off the ice midway through the first after getting hit in the leg by teammate Ryan Ellis' point shot. He would return to the bench a few shifts into period two, eventually getting his groove back by giving Windsor a 5-4 lead on the power play with :10 play in the period. Often found down low and now being used in front on the PP, the 6'3 forward has three points in three playoff games after posting the same total in nine games over the previous two postseasons with Peterborough. The Spits will look to close out the Otters on Thursday.

In the QMJHL, Maxime Legault scored a power play goal as Cape Breton lost their third straight playoff game to Moncton, 3-2. Legault, who fired seven shots on net, scored his first goal of the postseason at 13:37 of the third to halve the Wildcat lead to 2-1. Luke Adam (-3, 20-12 at the dot) finished with seven shots on goal in addition to two others ringing posts, while Jacob Lagacé (-2) contributed two shots for the Screaming Eagles. Trailing the series 3-0 heading into Wednesday's game four, the Adam-to-Portland watch is officially underway. Legault may not be far behind, with Lagacé's status still questionable.

In Charlottetown, Jordon Southorn was -1 as PEI dropped a 3-0 shutout to Saint John. After lining up seven hits in the first two games including a monster in game two, the 6'2 blueliner did not register in that column in the loss. The Sea Dogs will take a 2-1 series lead into Wednesday's tilt in PEI.