Pysyk looking to impress the Sabres

The Sherwood Park News is running a spotlight story on Edmonton Oil Kings captain Mark Pysyk, who recently was named the team's MVP for the second consecutive season. Pysyk's game matured in both ends in 2010-11, including a jump in his physical play which is needed in the highly competitive WHL.

While Pysyk said there are areas for him to improve upon, he was happy with his progression, and believes certain changes he made heading into the season gave him a leg up in winning the designation of MVP.

"I think I added a little bit more of a physical aspect to my game," he said. "It's tough sometimes, because I'm not a really vocal leader. I try to step out of my comfort zone that way as well."

It was a breakout year offensively as well. The 6'1 Pysyk scored 40 points for the OK's this past season, and now has his sights set clearly on Buffalo as next season approaches.

With the Oil Kings eliminated from playoffs in the first round, losing to the Red Deer Rebels, Pysyk is now gearing up for the Buffalo Sabres' upcoming training camp.

"I went last year, and it's just about a hard week of hockey and workouts," he said. "That's about it, so we get good experience again and it will be a big step in my training process as well."

Pysyk said he hopes this year is the one he'll be taken onto the NHL roster, but with Buffalo currently battling it out in playoffs, he hasn't had much of a chance to speak with them lately.

Still, he has plans in case it takes another year before making his way down to the United States.

"Hopefully I'll be in Buffalo soon, but if not next year, I'm hoping to play in the World Juniors," Pysyk said. "It would be an incredible honour to represent your country at the biggest stage besides the Olympics. That would be pretty cool."

For now, making the Sabres in the fall seems more of a longshot but that's not a bad thing. The Oil Kings should be one of the top guns next season in the WHL and big minutes will await their captain if the Sabres deem him not ready.

Regardless of where he lands, part of Pysyk's offseason training will involve a 200 km ride on June 25-26 in the Ride to Conquer Cancer. Sabres fans are encouraged to donate to his ride at www.conquercancer.ca.

McNabb earns Player of the Week honors

Kootenay ICE captain Brayden McNabb has been named the WHL Player of the Week.

From the WHL website:

McNabb picked up six points, scoring one goal and five assists to go with a +2 rating in two games over the last week, helping the Ice to a 4-0 series win over the Saskatoon Blades to advance to the Husky WHL Eastern Conference Championship Series.

On Tuesday, April 12th, the Kootenay Ice hosted the Saskatoon Blades for game three of their second round series at the Cranbrook Rec Plex. McNabb scored one goal, added two assists and was named the games 1st Star as the Ice downed the Blades 3-0 to take a 3-0 series lead. The following night, Wednesday, April 13th, the Ice had the opportunity to upset the top seed in the 2011 WHL Playoffs in front of a home crowd in Cranbrook. McNabb collected three assists as the Ice defeated the Blades 5-2 to advance to the next round.

The Kootenay Ice will now face the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Husky WHL Eastern Conference Championship Series starting Friday, April 22nd and Saturday, April 23rd at 7:30pm MT at the Medicine Hat Arena.

McNabb, a 20 year old (born 1991) from Davidson, SK, is playing his fourth season with the Kootenay Ice. The Ice made him their 2nd round (37th overall) selection at the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft and was selected in the 3rd round (66th overall) in the 2009 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. McNabb set career highs in all offensive categories this season and finished 3rd among WHL defenceman in scoring gathering 72 points (21 goals, 51 assists) in just 59 games. He is currently 6th among all WHL Scorers in the post-season with 15 points (3 goals, 12 assists) in 10 games.

4/17 Recap: Kassian pots turkey as Spits advance

Zack Kassian notched his first career playoff hat trick Sunday to lead Windsor to a 5-0 victory over Saginaw and a berth in the OHL's Western Conference Final. Kassian, who had just two goals in 12 games heading into the game #6, book-ended the first period with a fight 1:12 in and a snipe from the slot with 43-seconds remaining. Kassian's tilt with Anthony Camara marked the second time in the series that the pair dropped the gloves in the opening moments of a game.



I've mentioned it before, but Kassian has had a bi-polar post-season, at times being unstoppable and at others disinterested and detached. The Sabres are going to need to find ways to keep him hungry. However, Sunday was one of those games where he was engaged and ready to compete. He was excellent in the middle frame especially, cycling well to keep the Spirit pinned deep in their end while using his command of the puck and passing ability to create chances for his teammates. At 8:58, Kassian was sprung on a break by Kenny Ryan, faking forehand and then burying a backhand for his second goal of the night to give the Spits the 3-0 lead. The 6'3 completed the hat trick in the third period when his spin-and-fire shot from along the boards made it in the Spirit net. Kassian now has 14 points (5+9) through the first two playoff rounds. The Spits will begin the OHL Western Conference Final Tuesday in Owen Sound.

In the WHL, Riley Boychuk was injured early and did not return as Portland defeated Kelowna, 4-2, to advance to the WHL Western Conference Final. The 6'5 forward looked to be shaken up after taking a first period hit, and until we hear other wise will be considered "day-to-day with an upper body injury". The Winterhawks will open the conference final series Friday on home-ice against the winner of Tri-City/Spokane.

Matt MacKenzie was even as Tri-City lost in overtime to Spokane, 3-2. Trailing the series 3-2, the Americans will look to keep their season alive Tuesday night in Spokane.

In the USHL, Christian Isackson posted an assist as Sioux Falls advanced to the second round of the USHL playoffs with a 5-3 win over Sioux City. A three-goal catalyst in the Herd's first two games, the 6'0 forward was in the box for a high-sticking infraction when the Musketeers scored their first goal. The well-oiled Stampede will continue their quest for the Clark Cup with Wednesday's game #1 at Omaha.

Monday Morning Stat Sheet

4/16 Recap: Kassian helper gives Spits upper hand

Zack Kassian assisted on the game winning goal Saturday as Windsor moved one-step closer to advancing in the OHL playoffs with a 5-3 win over Saginaw. Kassian entered the Spirit zone with four minutes left on the clock, throwing the puck on net for Ryan Ellis to bang in the rebound and break the 3-3 tie. Kassian, who speaks about the play here in a post-game interview, now has 11 playoff points (2+9) heading into Sunday's game #6 in Windsor.

In other CHL playoff news, three Sabres prospects have received their marching orders for the week as OHL and WHL Eastern Conference Finals schedules have been set.

Steven Shipley and the Niagara IceDogs will open their OHL best-of-seven Tuesday at Mississauga. The 6'3 Shipley, who scored his first playoff goal and added two assists in the Dogs' Friday clincher, could be heating up at the right time as scoring depth will be needed to tackle the high-scoring Majors. Gregg Sutch has seen limited fourth-line minutes through the first two rounds for Mississauga, who will host this year's Memorial Cup once league titles are distributed.

In the WHL, Brayden McNabb and the Kootenay ICE will begin their series on the road Friday and Saturday with a set of games in Medicine Hat. McNabb currently leads all WHL defensemen with 15 points (3+12). Lewiston's Olivier Dame-Malka has netted 16 points (8+8) thus far in the QMJHL playoffs to lead the entire CHL.

4/15 Recap: Shipley barks as Dogs move on

Steven Shipley cranked out a goal and two assists Friday as Niagara advanced to the OHL Eastern Conference final with a 7-3 thrashing of Oshawa. The 6'3 center wasted little time building his #2 star effort, notching an assist just 40-seconds into play and then sliding a pass for a successful one-timer nearly two minutes later. Shipley, who was without a goal in 12 career playoff games leading up to the clinching tilt, saw an earlier goal called back due to a high stick before capitalizing on a loose puck to get off the playoff schnide at 10:33 of the first period. Generals 6'2 pivot Boone Jenner ('11) had a goal and an assist to finish his postseason with 12 points (7+5) in 10 games, while teammate and fellow '11 eligible Lucas Lessio gave scouts a taste of his sportsmanship with a double-bird flipoff of the St. Catharines crowd as he left the ice after receiving a third period misconduct. The IceDogs move on to face Mississauga for the right to skate for the OHL Championship.

In the WHL, Riley Boychuk skated even as Portland failed to close the series by dropping an exciting 2-1 overtime decision to Kelowna. With Brad Ross (TOR) returning from a three-game suspension, Boychuk was bumped back to his usual checking line role as the Rockets looked to play another day. Kelowna winger Shane McColgan ('11) picked up an assist, his 18th point of the playoffs, to extend his point streak to nine games. The 5'11 Californian has notched at least one point in every Kelowna postseason game to date. The Winterhawks will get another crack at ending the series Sunday in Kelowna.

4/14 Recap: Isackson's hot stick continues in Herd loss

Christian Isackson scored a third period goal Thursday as Sioux Falls dropped a 4-3 overtime decision to Sioux City. The six-footer, who is following the Thomas Vanek path to the University of Minnesota through Sioux Falls, has three goals on 10 shots on net through the first two games of the playoff year. The Herd and Musketeers are tied at one game each heading into Sunday's deciding game #3.

In the WHL, Matt MacKenzie (+1) posted an assist as Tri-City secured a 4-3 double-overtime win over Spokane. The 6'2 defender ups his 2011 playoff line to 1-4-5 through eight games. The Americans and Chiefs are now even at two games apiece in their Western Conference semifinal. Game #5 is Sunday in Tri-City.

In the OHL, Zack Kassian (+1) registered an assist as Windsor evened their series at two games apiece with a 6-2 throttling of Saginaw. The 6'3 Kassian, who has two goals and eight assists for the Spits this playoffs, will need to elevate his game when the series resumes Saturday in Saginaw.

4/13 Recap: Foligno finished; McNabb mackin'

Marcus Foligno scored a goal and an assist Wednesday in what should be the final game of his junior career as Sudbury was swept via a 4-3 overtime loss to Mississauga. The 6’3 winger, who #1 star of the game reminded folks that he wasn't eager to complete his OHL playing days, ends his playoff year with two goals, one assist, one fight, and a -10 rating in eight games. Barring injury, Foligno is expected to report to the Portland Pirates in the coming days on an ATO to hopefully extend his physical brand for a few more weeks of action. Gregg Sutch was a healthy scratch for the Majors, who dug themselves out of a 3-0 hole by quick-striking thrice in the last ten minutes to force the OT.

Also from the OHL, Steven Shipley (+1) recorded an assist as Niagara steamrolled to firm control of their second round series with a 6-1 win over Oshawa. The 6’3 center has yet to score a playoff goal but has collected four assists through the first eight games. The IceDogs will look to close things out Friday at home.

In the WHL, Brayden McNabb bagged a pair of assists as Kootenay completed the Eastern Conference semi-final sweep of Saskatoon with a 5-2 win. The ICE captain has collected 14 points (3+11) and a +12 rating through his first 10 games this postseason. Kootenay looks well-oiled and hopes to not lay idle for too long while waiting for the winner of the Red Deer/Medicine Hat series.

Riley Boychuk skated even as Portland downed Kelowna, 4-2. The victory gives the Winterhawks a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinal series with game #5 Friday in Portland.

In the USHL, Christian Isackson cashed a pair of goals on six shots on net as Sioux Falls opened their 2011 playoff campaign with a 5-1 win over Sioux City. Isackson drilled a power play one-timer from the left circle to open scoring before later dancing around Matt Skoff for his second goal of the night to make it a 3-0 in the middle frame. The clubs will continue to sink their teeth into the series Thursday in SF.

4/12 Recap: McNabb takes command; Boychuk pots winner

Brayden McNabb notched a goal and two assists Tuesday as Kootenay came within one game of eliminating the WHL's top regular season club with a 3-0 shutout of Saskatoon. The victory gives the ICE an unthinkable chance to use the brooms Wednesday in Cranbrook. After his power play point shot was followed-up on to give the ICE an early lead, the 6'4 McNabb took it coast-to-coast to bury a wrister for the 2-0 lead at the end of two periods. The Kootenay captain, who also displayed excellent power-play QB skills throughout, leads all Sabres prospects with two goals and 12 points through eight playoff games. The #1 star effort was his second three-point performance of the playoffs.

Elsewhere in the WHL, Riley Boychuk scored the power play game-winner and added an assist as Portland defeated Kelowna, 5-4. The 6'5 Boychuk made a key play late in the second period when he got the puck back to the point and set a screen for Tyler Wotherspoon's shot on the fourth Portland goal. The 20-year old, who is currently averaging 1.29 points-per-game in the playoffs after a mean of .58 in the regular season, later banged home a rebound with a two-man advantage to give the 'Hawks a 5-3 lead. The power-play goal was the third time this series that Boychuk has scored on a five-on-three. It's expected that Boychuk will remain on the Winterhawks top line when the clubs return for Wednesday's game #4 in Kelowna.

Matt MacKenzie skated even as Tri-City dropped a 4-1 home ice decision to Spokane. After winning the opener, the Americans find themselves in a 2-1 series hole heading into Thursday's game #4.

In the OHL, Zack Kassian scored his second goal of the playoffs as Windsor lost to Saginaw, 5-2. The unassisted breakaway tally, Kassian's ninth postseason point, came amidst a disappointing top-to-bottom effort from the defending Memorial Cup champions. The 6'3 winger was a little too late with the passion, getting assessed a misconduct at the final horn after a shoving match with former midget teammate and good pal, Dalton Prout. With the Spits trailing the series by a 2-1 margin, Kassian needs to bring that aggressive attitude back to the rink for Thursday's game #4.

Marcus Foligno continued his disappointing series, finishing -2 with a fighting major as Sudbury lost for the third straight game to Mississauga, 6-3. Gregg Sutch was even with an elbowing minor for the Majors, who with a Wednesday win can end Foligno's OHL career. The 6'3 Wolves captain sparked his team early, making a big hit along the boards then dropping the gloves for the first time since returning from his February knee injury to take on Rob Flick.



In Monday OHL action, Steven Shipley was +1 as Niagara defeated Oshawa, 5-3. The win gives the IceDogs a 2-1 series lead with game #4 Wednesday in Oshawa. Ryan Strome ('11) scored his fourth of the postseason for the victors.

4/10 Recap: Boychuk takes advantage

Riley Boychuk notched three assists in his expanded role Sunday as Portland drilled Kelowna, 6-3. The 6’5 Boychuk, who now has seven points (3+4) in six postseason contests, was playing his first full game on the ‘Hawks top line with Ryan Johansen (3G) and Nino Niederreiter (1A) in place of the suspended Brad Ross. Even in a grinding non-scoring line role, many thought the power-forward was set for a breakout this postseason despite having just three points in 13 career playoff games. It appears he'll continue to get the increased minutes with Ross' status in limbo with the league. The series in now even at a game apiece, with game #3 Tuesday in Kelowna.

Also from the WHL, Matt MacKenzie skated even as Tri-City lost to Spokane, 6-3. After splitting the series’ first two tilts, the two clubs will head to Tri-City for Tuesday’s game #3. MacKenzie has a goal and three helpers in the Americans six-game playoff year.

In the OHL, Marcus Foligno recorded his first goal of the playoffs as Sudbury came up short for the second straight game against Mississauga, 3-2. After a scoreless first period, the 6’3 forward cashed a power play tally all alone in front of the Majors net to give the Wolves a 1-0 lead. The Wolves, who were outshot 63-24 in the one-goal loss, are approaching do-or-die territory with Tuesday’s game #3 on the horizon. Gregg Sutch did not factor into the Majors' scoring.

In Windsor, Zack Kassian was even as Windsor lost in overtime to Saginaw, 5-4. The 6’3 forward was on the ice as linemates Stephen Johnston and Kenny Ryan connected for a goal on their first shift, but the Spirit kept answering en route to evening the series at one game each. Kassian has eight points (1+7) this nine games this postseason. Last year he had 16 points (7+9) in 19 games. Game #3 is Tuesday in Saginaw.