Tuesday, March 29, 2011

3/28 Recap: Kassian bullish in Spits win

Zack Kassian earned #1 star honors Monday, posting a pair of first period assists and providing a major physical element to help Windsor to a 6-2 win over Erie. It was Kassian’s bullish game that earned the first-star recognition, as he again kept his feet moving to push bodies, attempt more one-on-one plays, and generally get the puck to the net. Seemingly upping his battle to assist the Spits to a 2-1 series lead, Monday’s effort was exactly the style of game that made that the 6’3 wing the 13th overall pick in the 2009 draft. The now head back to Erie for Wednesday’s game #4.

Elsewhere in the OHL, Marcus Foligno finished -1 as Sudbury downed Ottawa for the second straight game, 5-3. Foligno provided power forward muscle in the contest, using his strength to win 50/50 battles, and like Kassian, succeed in getting the puck to the net for scoring chances. The captain grinding his gears helped the Wolves to a 53-18 advantage in shots on goal. The two teams will reconvene Tuesday with Sudbury holding a 2-0 series lead.

In the WHL, Mark Pysyk logged a -2 as Edmonton lost game #3 of their first round series to Red Deer, 3-1. The steady captain put a scare into Oil Kings nation in the early third period when he took a puck to the head and returned to the bench on wobbly legs with the score knotted at zero. Pysyk, who previously put EDM fans on pins and needles when he was rammed hard into the boards early in game #1, would return to action minutes later. On the verge of being swept, the Oil Kings will look to extend their season another day when they take the ice Thursday in Edmonton.