Zack Kassian is on the fence where double-standards are concerned.

BY PATRICK KING
sportsnet.ca

WINDSOR, ON. -- Zack Kassian is on the fence where double-standards are concerned.

The Windsor Spitfires power-forward is never shy about sharing his opinion with officials. Conversely, he tip-toes around controversy off the ice in favour of a diplomatic approach.

Moments after a breakaway was thwarted by a non-penalized back-check from Tyler Hostetter, Kassian skated to the bench only to stop in front and give the passing-by referee an earful before slamming the door.

The more reserved, off-ice version of Kassian shared a different story following the Spitfires’ 6-2 win in Game 3 against the Erie Otters.

"No matter what you do," Kassian began, "the ref’s going to keep his call and not change it, so you’re better off just to go to the bench and just suck it up and kind of build off that and bring the anger to the game and put it in the positive."

Say what?

Must be one of those things better said than done.

Kassian was penalized earlier in the game on plays that may not have been deemed so if not for his reputation as a player that plays on the edge. One penalty was for boarding where the player that received the check barely slid into the boards.

Kassian appeared disgusted with the call and began waving his arm as to suggest a dive and share his disagreement with the call. He was much less animated when asked if there was a double-standard in the eyes of the officials.

"Yes and no," he said. "I feel a couple of the hits were questionable, but that’s going to happen. It’s about me staying focused and not getting off my game and I’ll be fine."

Aside from some penalties he’d rather avoid, Kassian has been fine. The gritty and physical forward has been one of Windsor’s top players through the first three games of their first-round series against Erie.

That’s not to say there haven’t been growing pains along the way. After repeated attempts to find his game down the stretch -- which included video sessions with the coaching staff, a meeting with president and Columbus Blue Jackets assistant coach Bob Boughner—Kassian was actually a healthy scratch in a vital, late season game against Owen Sound.

It appeared then that the power-forward derailed shortly after returning from the world juniors. Head coach Bob Jones now feels Kassian is back on track after the team-imposed sit down.

"There’s healthy scratches in the NHL every night," Jones said. "Sometimes when you lose your confidence or you lose your game a bit, it’s a good thing to sit up in the stands and watch one. I think that he’s responded very well since that."

Regardless of which side of the line Kassian is playing on, he is a difference-maker for the Spitfires. Although prone to taking the occasional penalty, Jones will willingly accept it if it means the Buffalo Sabres first-round pick is being aggressive and imposing his will.

As one NHL scout recently said: "Some nights he looks like he can throw on a Sabres jersey and play right now."

Monday was one of those nights. Kassian was the dominant physical and offensive presence the Spitfires needed if they’re going to make another extended playoff run.

The Otters had difficulty containing the six-foot-three, 215 pounder. He created chances by cutting through seams in the defence and by using his imposing size to shield defenders.

Kassian’s night finished with two assists and a plus-1 rating along with four minutes in penalties.

"When this guy is going like he was tonight, he’s like a train out there -- he’s a force," Jones said. "I thought they really had a lot of trouble containing him."

"He’s been unbelievable," Spitfires goaltender Jack Campbell said. "He’s on top of his game so it’s going to be pretty tough to beat us when he’s out there doing everything he can."

Goals, however, continue to elude him as Kassian is without a goal in his past eight games dating back to the regular season. It hasn’t been for a lack of scoring chances.

At one point during the interview, the on-ice, animated version met the reserved, off-ice version.

"I’m getting chances every game and sooner or later they’re going to go in," he said. "But right now we’re winning so the chances don’t need to be buried yet (laughs)."

Whether he’s a marked man or not, Kassian is getting the last laugh.