3/11 Recap: McNabb in good company as playoffs loom

Brayden McNabb continued his recent stacking of points with two assists Friday as Kootenay won via shootout over Swift Current, 5-4. Still without a NHL contract, McNabb enters the final week of play as the #3 scorer among WHL defenders with 67 points, just five short of eclipsing Marc-Andre Gragnani's (71 in 2005-06) for the highest total among Sabres defensive prospects of the last decade. Barrie's Nick Crawford finished with 70 a year ago. It's also worth noting that McNabb's 20-goal prowess puts him in good company with Dennis Wideman (24, 2003-04) Gragnani (22, 2006-07), and Andrej Sekera (21, 2005-06) among top blueline goal scorers recently drafted by the Sabres.

Elsewhere in the WHL, Kevin Sundher played even as Chilliwack saw their six-game winning streak snapped with a 3-2 overtime loss to Seattle, 3-2. The six-footer, who recently capped a streak that saw him score 19 points over 11 games, has produced two assists in his last five outings.

Mark Pysyk (-3) saw his career-best seven-game point streak come to an end as Edmonton lost to Prince Albert, 5-2. Despite the loss the Oil Kings had a chance to clinch a WHL playoff berth with a Calgary win, but their 2012 World Junior partner could not come through.

Corey Fienhage finished -1 as Kamloops lost to Kelowna, 5-1. Neighbor of my brother and donor of old equipment to my nephew, Shane McColgan ('11) had three power play assists to power the Rockets offense. The Sabres get a good discount when scouting Kelowna, and I'm curious where they see McColgan fitting come draft day. A creative forward with grit, McColgan has put together 21-44-65 this season after a 69 point campaign as 16/17 a season ago.

Riley Boychuk returned to the Winterhawks lineup after missing a half-dozen games with a concussion as Portland downed Everett. Three NHL draft picks and another sure to go early this June, Nino Niederreiter, Ty Rattie ('11), Ryan Johansen and Craig Cunningham, blitzed the Tips for four goals in the first five minutes of the middle period to take control of the game.

Matt MacKenzie was -1 as Tri-City lost to Spokane. Anthony Bardaro ('11) scored his 20th goal of the year for the Chiefs.

In the QMJHL, Cedrick Henley registered four hits including a checking from behind minor as Val-d'Or edged Chicoutimi in a shootout, 3-2. The 6'5 project entered the game with points in three straight games.

Marcus Foligno missed his second straight game due to "illness" as Sudbury lost via shootout to Belleville, 4-3.

Gregg Sutch was a healthy scratch as Mississauga defeated Brampton, 6-2.

In the USHL, Christian Isackson notched a pair of assists as Sioux Falls fell to Cedar Rapids, 5-3. The Minnesotan now has 15 points (4+11) in his 14 games.

In the first round of the WCHA tournament, Justin Jokinen did not get on the scoresheet as Minnesota State lost to #6 Denver, 4-2. The Mavericks held a 2-0 lead after two periods before suffering a four-goal collapse in the third.

In game #1 of the CCHA quarterfinal, Connor Knapp watched as Cody Reichard made 17 saves to help #7 Miami to a 4-1 win over Alaska. UFA senior center Andy Miele scored his 20th goal and 62nd points of the season for the RedHawks. Miele, who leads the nation in scoring, has scored points in 14 straight games.

Also from CCHA quarterfinal weekend, Nick Eno served as back-up to Andrew Hammond as Bowling Green lost to #5 Michigan, 5-1.

In the Hockey East tourney, Drew MacKenzie was +1 with three shots on goal as Vermont lost the opener to #10 New Hampshire, 3-1.

Brad Eidsness did not play as North Dakota cruised past Michigan Tech, 8-0. The Sioux will close to close out their first round opponent Saturday.

Kassian saying right things, but words best be put to action

As expected, Windsor Spitfires forward Zack Kassian is saying all the right things after being benched for Thursday's contest against Owen Sound. As someone who judges people by their actions and not their words, I'm playing and wait and see game when it comes to the powerful 20-year old.

The story

Some quotes:

“We’ve got five games remaining and we need a lot more out of Zack Kassian and we’re not getting it,” said Jones, who dressed two players under the limit of 20 for the game. “We won’t be a contending playoff team unless Zack Kassian plays to his full potential.”

“I’m the first to admit, I wasn’t playing well,” Kassian said as he watched the game from a suite at the WFCU Centre. “It’s a wake up call for me to take a bigger leadership role and be a bigger part of this to help the team.”

Kassian has 75 points this season, but I've been quiet about my opinion of his play until recently. His raw ability makes him a #1 prospect, but his lax approach to this season has me close to dropping him from the top of the list. The guy was a Memorial Cup champion a year ago. Tasting a title win should get the hunger brewing again, not turn you into a coasting player waiting for his pro career to begin.

The way you practice is the way you play.

About a week ago, I penned a reply to someone asking about the forward's overall game and what to expect in his first contract with the Buffalo Sabres. Here is an excerpt:

Like most have said, Kassian is a big, tough guy with pro hands. He likes to set up on the goal line where he'll look to distribute or power it to the net. He'll be a typical paint player in the NHL. Effective around the net with or without the puck. If I watch him on the boards and in the slot and think of the overall toughness element that he can bring when "on", I think it's OK to consider him Bertuzzi-esque in that regard.

His issue is keeping his feet moving and bringing it night-to-night. He skates with a long stride but sometimes finds himself flat-footed away from the puck. That split-second needed to re-start makes a difference, so keep it chugging. Regarding the effort, I was hoping he'd use this season to start preparing for the daily mental and physical grind of an NHL season but the off nights have appeared here and there. They will need to be limited and eventually eliminated moving forward.

Down in Erie a few weeks back, he showed his versatility by playing all three forward positions on his first four shifts.

The Spits were awful that night. Campbell was a sieve. D assignments were missed. Kassian and some of the better players weren't playing with much fire, while Czinder was bringing it physically and Ellis and Carnevale were creating. I made a note midway the 2nd that some guys were getting double-shifted over Kass when all of a sudden he came over the boards (with Khoko + Ebert) and went to the dressing room for the night for "not giving 100%"....

His last shift that game followed a goal against which he was on the ice for. A few seconds after the faceoff he had an opportunity to put a guy into the boards and let his teammates know he was engaged but didn't take it. Even if you don't connect, even if you hit all glass, you need to go hard in that spot. This was one of those "off nights"...

One of the best things that has happened to Kassian has been developing a friendship with Marcus Foligno. Marcus is a natural leader with a great work ethic who comes from a hockey family. He is what Zack isn't. There are going to be days when Kass is going to have some guilty skating to do in practice. I think a guy like Marcus will help him understand when those days are....

So yeah, it's great that Marcus can help him with that, but there's still a need for serious veteran leadership if this team wants to get the most out of Kassian early. For now, little things like him staying out of the box are seen as positive steps.

One other note about Zack worth looking at is his average post-World Jrs performance. Ennis, Myers, Adam all took it up a notch after playing for Canada. Kassian had a flu bug shortly after his return (which involved a week off) and is still a point-per-game guy (10+14 in 24 GP), but hasn't elevated his overall game. He had 48 points in 25 games pre-tourney.

These aren't serious red flags. There's a lot to like. If Zack has his epiphany and becomes the monster on the forecheck/backcheck and commanding scorer down low, it'll bring the team up. There are things the Sabres will do to make it happen.

Also about the tourney, interesting that he was among the top FO performers when called upon. Cameron used him primarily on o-zone PP draws to get him to the front of the net right away, but long term it's an interesting thought based on his very good passing hands. His plan for now remains as a wing no doubt. Keep it simple all the way around...

Let's see where this takes us. The concerns I raised earlier are still lingering, and the time is now for Kassian to not just say that he's learned a lesson, but actually show it on and off the ice.

3/10 Recap: Kassian sits; Red hot Leduc keeps rolling

Zack Kassian was a healthy scratch Thursday as Windsor needed the shootout to earn a 4-3 win over Owen Sound. Kassian, plagued by inconsistent effort since returning from the World Junior Championship, has been rumored to be at odds with the Spits staff of late. The Sabres can't be entirely pleased with Kassian's lack of focus either, and should be expecting a dominating response from their 2009 first-rounder before further evaluating his status once his OHL season ends.

Elsewhere, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc extended his point streak to five games with a pair of primary assists as Rimouski lost via shootout to Saint John, 3-2. The red-hot defender has amassed 10 points for his most productive five-game tear of the season to surge into a tie for fifth place among QMJHL defenders with 48 points.

In the OHL, Steve Shipley set-up the game winning goal in overtime as Niagara got past Brampton, 4-3. The 6'3 Shipley, who has been nearly a point-per-game player (4+10) over his last 15 outings, had a total of 17 goals and 46 points this season.

Gregg Sutch skated even as Mississauga doubled Peterborough, 6-3. The 6'2 grinder has hit a rough patch in his development, garnering just nine points in his last 25 games.

Marcus Foligno missed Sudbury's 6-3 loss to Barrie due to illness.

3/9 Recap: Henley finding legs after layoff

Cedrick Henley notched two assists Wednesday as Val-d'Or came up short in a 4-3 loss to Baie-Comeau. The apples give the 6'5 project his first three-game point streak of the season. Henley, who missed 42 games after undergoing wrist surgery to correct a congenital defect, has 13 points (5+8) in 18 games this season. The Val-d'Or native had surgery on the opposite wrist while in midgets, so he should be set to enter the prime of his QMJHL development.

In the USHL, Christian Isackson (+1) picked up an assist as Sioux Falls rolled over Fargo, 7-2. The six-footer has 13 points in his last Baker's dozen games, and a total of 35 on the year.

Kevin Sundher logged a +1 and a pair of roughing minors as Chilliwack blanked Vancouver, 2-0. The Bruins have gotten hot when they needed to, earning six straight victories to maintain a lockdown on the #6 playoff spot in the WHL's Western Conference.

Matt MacKenzie finished -1 as Tri-City lost to Kelowna, 3-1. Shane McColgan ('11) was +2 with an assist for the Rockets.

3/8 Recap: McNabb hits 20, eyes franchise sweep

Brayden McNabb scored a goal and added two assists Tuesday as Kootenay skated to a 5-1 win over Moose Jaw. McNabb, who owns Kootenay franchise season marks for assists and points by a defenseman, will own the record for goals as well if he is able to pot one more before the end of the regular season.

The power play goal, McNabb's 20th goal of the year, makes him the Sabres' first defensive prospect to hit the 20-goal plateau since PEI's Marc-Andre Gragnani (22) accomplished the feat in 2006-07. Reaching Gragnani's mark as well as the Ice's season record seems realistic, as the 6'4 Saskatchewan native averages roughly a goal every three games with five dates remaining on the regular season schedule.

Elsewhere in the Dub, Corey Fienhage finished -2 as Kamloops lost a tough one to Tri-City, 5-4. With the loss, the Blazers fail to gain any ground on Prince George in the race for the final playoff spot in the WHL's Western Conference. Both teams are currently tied with 62 points with the Cougars having a game in hand. Matt MacKenzie was +1 for the victorious Ams.

3/6 Recap: Henley gets first since fall

Cedrick Henley scored his first goal since October 22nd Sunday as Val-d’Or earned a 3-2 shootout win over #3 ranked Montreal. The even-strength mark, Henley’s fifth of the year, comes in his 17th game of the season and fifth game back after returning from wrist surgery. Last year, the 6’5 forward scored five times in 44 contests for the Foreurs.

In the WHL, Matt MacKenzie scored his career-best seventh goal of the season as Tri-City downed Vancouver, 5-1. The 6’2 defender now has points in two straight games after enduring an 11-game point drought.

Kevin Sundher posted two assists as Chilliwack got past Portland, 6-2. The Bruins center enters the home stretch with 20 goals and 68 points in 63 games. Last season he totaled 25 goals and 61 points while playing in all 72 games.

In the OHL, Zack Kassian finished -1 as Windsor won a 4-3 shootout over Guelph. Kassian took a slashing call on the first shift of overtime which the Spits successfully killed off.

Gregg Sutch (+2) assisted on the game’s first goal, which also held up as the game winner, as Mississauga shut out Sudbury , 4-0. The helper was Sutch’s third point in last 14 games and 24th (7+17) on the year. Marcus Foligno finished -2 for the Wolves.

In the CCHA playoffs, Nick Eno served as backup while Andrew Hammond directed Bowling Green to a 3-2 double-overtime win at Northern Michigan. The upset-minded Falcons will travel to face regular season champion Michigan in the quarterfinals next weekend.

3/5 Recap: Pysyk extends; Eidsness sighting

Mark Pysyk netted his sixth goal of the year Saturday to extend his career-long point streak to seven games as Edmonton dropped a 3-1 decision to Medicine Hat. The smooth skating rearguard has gathered three goals, half of his season haul, and eight apples over the span.

Kevin Sundher did not point for the second straight game as Chilliwack downed Kamloops, 4-1. It's an event when Sundher doesn't get on the scoresheet after his recent 11-game point streak that saw him amass 19 points. Corey Fienhage was -1 for the Blazers in defeat.

Kootenay captain Brayden McNabb missed the Ice's 4-2 win over Prince Albert due to a one-game suspension from his boarding penalty in Friday's blowout loss to Saskatoon.

In the OHL, Steven Shipley ended a three-game point drought by collecting a goal and two assists as Niagara unloaded on Sarnia, 10-3. The game had a little bit of everything, ranging from a six-point night from David Pacan (FLA) to a goalie fight. The multi-point night gives Shipley a line of 17-28-45 on the year. Nail Yakupov ('12) potted his 45th goal of the year for the Sting, while Alex Galchenyuk scored his 25th.

Zack Kassian scored his 26th goal of the year as Windsor was bested by Plymouth, 6-2. Kassian's rebound of an Alexander Khokhlachev shot gives the 6'3 power forward two goals and three assists over his last three games. Whalers goalie Matt Mahalak ('11) made 50 saves to get the win.

Gregg Sutch did not get on the sheet as Mississauga edged Oshawa, 4-3. The grinding forward, who has been in and out of the lineup of late despite being healthy, has just two goals and two assists in his last 16 games.

In the Q, Cedrick Henley had an assist and three hits as Val-d'Or lost in a shootout to Gatineau, 3-2. The helper was his first point in four games since returning from corrective wrist surgery.

In USHL action, Christian Isackson earned an assist as Sioux Falls fell in a shootout to Tri-City, 3-2. The Gopher commit, who was thwarted in his shootout attempt, has 34 points in 46 games including 14 in his last 15.

In the NCAA, Drew MacKenzie picked up a pair of assists as Vermont doubled Lowell, 4-3. The junior defenseman now has nine points in his last nine games. The Catamounts move on to face New Hampshire in the final

Mark Adams played even as Providence closed their 2010-11 season by upsetting #7 Merrimack, 5-3. The 6'3 defenseman ends his freshman season with three assists, 22 PIM, and a -7 rating. The Friars (8-18-8) missed the Hockey East playoffs by one point after Massachusetts got the last spot with 4-4 tie with Maine.

If you had March 5th in the Brad Eidsness pool, then you're the big winner. The junior goalie made 18 saves in his first start since November 19th as #1 North Dakota closed the regular season with an 11-2 stomping of Michigan Tech. Eidsness ups his numbers to 2-2-1 with a 4.09 goals against average and .812 save percentage.

Also from the WCHA, Justin Jokinen punched two shots on goal as Minnesota State was swept by Alaska-Anchorage, 4-1.

Nick Eno served as backup as Bowling Green forced a third and deciding game of the CCHA first round with a 2-0 shutout of Northern Michigan. The two clubs will play the rubber match Sunday night.

3/4 Recap: JGL continues roll; Sundher's streak ends

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc gathered a pair of goals and an assist Friday to lead Rimouski past Chicoutimi, 6-4. The 6'2 puck-mover has produced four goals and four assists over his four-game point streak to thrust himself into a tie for seventh among QMJHL rearguards with 46 points (12+34).

In the WHL, Matt MacKenzie ended his 11-game point slumber with a power play goal and an assist on the game winner as Tri-City defeated Everett, 3-2 in overtime. The offensive drought, ended by a laser from the high slot, was MacKenzie's longest since his rookie season back in 2007-08.

Mark Pysyk (+1) posted an assist as Edmonton defeated Medicine Hat, 4-3 in a shootout. The helper gives the 6'1 defender two goals and eight assists over his current career-best six-game point streak.

Kevin Sundher (+1) saw his 11-game point streak snapped as Chilliwack edged Kelowna, 1-0. The 6'0 center collected three goals and 16 assists on the run that began back on 2/5, and sits with 20 goals and a career-best 66 points with nine games left to play.

Brayden McNabb finished -1 as Kootenay got embarrassed by Saskatoon, 9-2. With frustration mounting, McNabb racked up boarding and fighting majors and a game misconduct at the end of the second period when he drove Chris Collins into the boards from behind and was forced to defend his action against Brent Benson ('11) for his fourth fight of the year.




Corey Fienhage finished -1 with his fourth fighting major of the season as Kamloops lost to Lethbridge, 4-1. The 6'4 "Moose" Fienhage dished out a clean hit along the boards early in the third period and was asked to tangle with Hurricanes forward Mitch Maxwell. Earlier in the game, Fienhage ended Hurricane forward Philip Tot's night with another clean, hard hit.



Riley Boychuk did not play (concussion) as Portland clobbered Seattle, 9-1.

In the OHL, Marcus Foligno (+1) notched an assist as Sudbury shut out Brampton, 2-0. The Wolves captain put a scare into Wolves fans when he went to the locker room just a few shifts into the game and did return until the second period.

In the USHL, Christian Isackson picked up an assist on the game-tying goal as Sioux Falls rallied to a 4-3 overtime win over Lincoln. The budding forward has five goals and eight assists in his last 14 games.

In the NCAA, Drew MacKenzie scored the gane-tying goal in with :45 to play in regulation as Vermont played to a 4-4 tie with Lowell. The tally, the junior's fifth of the year, gives the junior 14 points in 31 games this season.

Nick Eno allowed one goal on 16 shots in relief as Bowling Green opened the CCHA playoffs with a 6-3 loss to Northern Michigan. Eno was called into the game in the second period after starter Andrew Hammond surrendered four goals in the first 26-minutes of play.

Justin Jokinen was -2 as Minnesota State lost to Alaska-Anchorage, 4-0.

Mark Adams was -1 as Providence got hammered by #9 Merrimack, 6-1.

Brad Eidsness did not play as #1 North Dakota smoked Michigan Tech, 6-1. I'm done speculating whether or not Eidsness is going to get the start in the Sioux's final regular season game on Saturday, but I did speak to someone in Grand Forks this week that doesn't believe the former AJHL MVP will be in Grand Forks next season.

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On Thursday, Zack Kassian (+1)  contributed a pair of assists as Windsor got past London, 4-3. At the 50-game mark, the 6'3 forward has totaled 25 goals and 74 points for the Spits.

Steven Shipley was -1 as Niagara defeated Sudbury, 5-2. Marcus Foligno logged a -2 in the loss.

3/1-2 Recap: Sundher extends; Foligno returns

Kevin Sundher pushed his point streak to 11 games Wednesday with a pair of assists as Chilliwack earned a 3-1 win over Lethbridge. The playmaking pivot has collected three goals and 16 assists since beginning his run back on 2/5. 

Mark Pysyk continued to ramp his offensive game with a pair of assists as Edmonton suffered a 8-5 loss to Saskatoon. The helpers give the defenseman a five-game point streak.

Corey Fienhage was -1 as Kamloops dropped a 6-2 decision to Kelowna. Shane McColgan ('11) had an assist for the winning Rockets.

Brayden McNabb finished -3 as Kootenay was shut out by Brandon, 4-0.

Steven Shipley was quiet offensively as Niagara lost to Erie, 4-1.

In QMJHL action, Cedrick Henley was -1 as Val-d'Or was defeated by Quebec, 6-2.

In the USHL, Christian Isackson logged two shots on goal as Sioux Falls lost to Lincoln, 3-1.

On Tuesday, Marcus Foligno scored a goal and an assist on "Marcus Foligno Night" as Sudbury downed Soo, 6-2. The 6'3 captain of the Wolves, who had missed the previous 10 games with a sprained knee, ups his season line to 22-31-53 in 41 games.

In the WHL, Matt MacKenzie continued to struggle offensively with a -3 rating as Tri-City lost to Portland, 6-5. Riley Boychuk remained out of the Winterhawks lineup with a concussion.

2/28 Recap: Steady Pysyk returns; Kassian light lamp

In Monday WHL play, Mark Pysyk posted a power play assist Monday as Edmonton cruised to a 7-1 win over Calgary. The 6'1 defender, who returned after missing one game with an upper body injury, ups his season line to 5-31-36 with an impressive +30 rating.

On Sunday, Zack Kassian (+2) potted a goal and an assist as Windsor dropped a 6-5 decision to Sudbury. The 6'3 wing had skated his previous five games without lighting the lamp for the second time in his last 20 tilts.

Steven Shipley was -1 as Niagara was shut out by Brampton, 3-0.

Gregg Sutch was a healthy scratch as Mississauga drilled Belleville, 6-1.

In the WHL, Kevin Sundher dished a pair of assists to extend his point streak to 10 games as Chilliwack edged Prince George, 4-3. The Surrey, BC native ends January with 19 points (4+15) in 12 games.

Matt MacKenzie finished -1 as Tri-City was blanked by Vancouver, 5-0.

In the USHL, Christian Isackson earned an assist as Sioux Falls as rolled over Lincoln, 6-2.