McNabb Back

McNabb returns in time for clash with Spokane

by Jeff Bromley

Brayden McNabb rolled into Cranbrook Thursday to begin what could be his lastseason of junior hockey Thursday night. No disrespect, but if he had it his wayhe would've rather been on the blueline of the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre squaring off against the Montreal Canadiens, helping the Sabres beat the Habs 5-3. Instead he'll settle for the Rec Plex tonight against the Spokane Chiefs.

At least his opponent's uniforms will be the same.

"I thought I played well," offered McNabb of his play at the Sabres training camp. "Obviously I'd like to have stayed but I know I'm young. I think I made a good impression and was happy with my camp."

As a 19-year-old McNabb, who played in one preseason game with Buffalo – a 3-1 win September 25, could've only played with the Sabres had he stayed but he has yet to come to contract terms, something he's not overly worried about. "I had a pretty good exit meeting and there was a little talk about it but nothing too serious as of right now," he said. "They haven't said much about it but they did say they wanted work something out soon, but I don't know. All I know is that it was pretty cool playing in front of 17,000 fans (at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo). It was pretty sweet."

Selected by the Sabres in the 3rd round (66th overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft the Davidson, Saskatchewan product's timing couldn't be better. Coming off a 4-2 loss Wednesday to the Red Deer Rebels Kootenay has failed to score a goal on the power play in the club's first two games, going 0-11. McNabb's return aims to change that. "He's our MVP on the backend," said Ice head coach Kris Knoblauch."This year that blueline is one of our strengths with him back there but the biggest impact he'll have is on the power play. We could definitely use him back there."

Finishing last season with 17 goals, 40 assists and 57 points in 64 games, many of those with the man-advantage, McNabb will be a welcome site on the ice tonight against the Chiefs. "I'm excited to come back. It's probably going to be my last year and I've got big expectations for myself and my team."

Boomer injured – Ice coach Kris Knoblauch won't have to fret over any roster decisions for the weekend as the infirmary's swelling numbers made it for him. 20-year-old forward Steele Boomer is out for a week due to a wrist injury suffered in Wednesday's loss to the Rebels. "He'll be out for about a week,"said Knoblauch. "So, we've only got three 20-year-olds right now that can play anyway." G Nathan Lieuwen remains sidelined with a bruised knee and won't play. 20-year-old Todd Mathews will get his second start of the season and rookie Brett Teskey will be the back-up… Lieuwen was the WHL nominee for the CHL goaltender of the week award after opening the season with a 4-0 shutout of theCalgary Hitmen. Quebec Remparts goaltender Louis Domingue was the winner… The Spokane Chiefs (0-1) invade the Rec Plex in Kootenay's only action this weekend. Gametime is 7PM.