Friday, October 15, 2010

10/14 Recap: Kass keeps stacking; McNabb earns "C"

Zack Kassian scored two goals and an assist Thursday as Windsor downed Erie, 5-3. Trailing the Otters 2-0, Kassian put the Spits on the board with wraparound backhand goal at 14:04 of the first period. Kassian would later add an assist and an empty-netter to seal the victory, and up his point totals to five goals, nine assists, and 14 points through the first five-game block of the season.

Again, let's all stay level until he puts up similar numbers at the World Juniors. Is his start encouraging? Absolutely. Is he proving to be a better player than he was a year ago? Absolutely. I will never suggest that the early season production is inflated like Dylan Hunter's stat line during his days in London, but Kassian's physical dominance of 17-18-19's has a lot to do with what we're seeing right now. I'm just as pleased that he's staying out of the box. Be excited but within reason, as it's just a positive development in his development...

In WHL news, Brayden McNabb has been named captain of the Kootenay Ice. The 19-year old, playing his fourth season on the Ice blueline, joins current NHLers Mike Comrie, Mike Green, and Jarret Stoll players to wear the "C" for the Kootenay franchise.