Friday, May 13, 2011

5/11 Recap: McNabb stops at dozen as ICE inch towards title

Brayden McNabb saw his 12-game point streak come to an end Wednesday as Kootenay needed overtime to get past Portland, 5-4. The victory gives the ICE a commanding 3-1 lead in the WHL Championship series. McNabb (-1, 8 PIM) amassed 21 points over the dozen game run, collecting multiple points in seven of the contests (all victories).

Riley Boychuk picked up an assist to give him points in two straight games. With McNabb in the penalty box to start the second period, the 6’5 Boychuk found Ryan Johansen with a back door pass just as the ICE captain was skating back into play. Boychuk has four goals and eight assists in the playoffs heading into Portland's first elimination game of the year on Friday.

In Tuesday’s game three, McNabb and Boychuk each posted assists as Kootenay took a two-games-to-one lead with a 3-2 OT win. Much like McNabb on Tuesday, Boychuk was just stepping out of the box as the ICE rushed down the ice to open the game’s scoring.