Friday, April 1, 2011

4/1 Recap: Duo looks to game six; April fools Nics

Zack Kassian earned an assist Friday, his sixth point of the series, as Windsor battled hard but lost in overtime to Erie, 6-5. Kassian was again a physical force, using his strength to generate puck pressure and record several shots, yet the effort was also marked by an undisciplined slashing penalty that allowed the Otters to take a three goal lead at the end of two periods. The Spits would answer by out-shooting the Otters 22-7 in the third en route to scoring three goals, including two 41-seconds apart with less than four minutes to play to force the overtime. Anthony Luciani's fourth of the night sealed it for the visitors at 4:03 of the OT to set-up a game #6 in Erie Sunday afternoon. Windsor holds a 3-2 series edge.

In the WHL, Brayden McNabb (+1) logged major minutes as Kootenay defeated Moose Jaw, 3-1, to take a 3-2 series lead. The 6'4 blueliner has a goal and three assists in the five games, while his +5 is currently tied for 3rd in the young WHL postseason. The ICE, who outshot the Warriors by a 48-29 margin, will look to close out the series Sunday in Moose Jaw.

In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc was -1 as Rimouski saw their season come to an end with a 4-3 overtime loss to Gatineau. The offensive-minded rearguard was on the ice for a Nics power play tally and later as the Olympiques scored the game-tying goal against. The QMJHL's #2 scorer among defenseman in the regular season, Gauthier-Leduc posted a goal and two assists in the five-game playoff year.

In USHL play, Christian Isackson was -2 with two shots on goal as Sioux Falls lost to Indiana, 6-4. The Herd's leading scorer with 41 points (16+25), Isackson has now gone three games without a point for the first time since 12/19-1/1.