NA3HL announces Bauer Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending February 25, 2018. The divisional stars of the week is an award given each week of the regular season to the top performing players in each of the eight divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
Central Division Star of the Week: Matt Irwin, Forward, Wausau RiverWolves
The Wausau RiverWolves are closing in on clinching their first ever playoff berth. The RiverWolves swept the Evansville Jr. Thunderbolts and Matt Irwin played a critical role in both wins. On Friday, Irwin scored just once but dished out four assists in an 8-4 win. The following night, Irwin did it all himself as he lit the lamp, a season high, four times in a 6-5 victory. The two wins put Wausau in a position to clinch a playoff spot this weekend.
2nd Star: Ryan Hempel, F, Wausau RiverWolves
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Colin Cain, G, North Iowa Bulls – Mitch Dolter, F, North Iowa Bulls – Carter Grobstick, F, Wisconsin Whalers
Coastal Division Star of the Week: James Wilson, Forward, New England Stars
The hottest team in the Coastal Division, the New England Stars wrapped up a perfect three game weekend. James Wilson contributed in all three wins. On Wednesday, Wilson was responsible for two assists in a 5-1 win over the Maine Wild. Two days later, he notched his first hat trick of the season and also added an assist in the Stars 8-4 win over the Northeast Generals. On Saturday, Wilson continued his hot streak by scoring another goal against the Generals. He finished the weekend with a plus-4 rating.
2nd Star: None
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
East Division Star of the Week: Matt Schaumburger, Forward, Metro Jets
The 18-year old Metro forward only played in one game last week but he could not be stopped in those 60 minutes. The Canton, Michigan native scored four goals in a 6-1 victory over the Peoria Mustangs. This included a power play goal and the game winning goal. The young forward now has 10 points in his last four games as the Jets prepare for what they hope will be a deep playoff run.
2nd Star: Caden Shell, G, Pittsburgh Vengeance
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Dom Glavach, F, Pittsburgh Vengeance – George Hanson, D, Metro Jets
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Drew Scites, Goalie, Great Falls Americans
Drew Scites has been perfect thus far during the 2017-18 season. He has amassed a record of 20-0 and is 11-0 since being acquired by the Great Falls Americans. For as good as Scites has been this year, this past weekend might of been his best. On Friday night, Scites was peppered with 65 shots but he was able to turn aside 64 in an overtime victory against the Yellowstone Quake. As great as he was Friday, he was perfect on Saturday. He denied 45 more shots to give his Americans a win and picked up his fifth shutout of the year. In the two game series, Scites had a goals against average of 0.48 and a save percentage of .991.
2nd Star: None
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Jake Cox, Forward, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Jake Cox recently became the NA3HL’s all time leading goal scorer and this week he became the first player in NA3HL history to score his 100th career goal. The forward from Columbus, Georgia scored a pair of goals on Saturday night in a win over the Rochester Ice Hawks. He also had two assists in the game the night before. For the season, Cox has 32 goals and 33 assists to give him 65 points on the season.
2nd Star: Blake Bjella, G, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
Northeast Division Star of the Week: Eric Vanderhoff, Forward, Skylands Kings
For the second straight weekend, Eric Vanderhoff had an unbelievable weekend. After putting up 11 points in three games last week, Vanderhoff logged 10 points in two games this weekend. On Monday, Vanderhoff had a goal and an assist against the Niagara Falls PowerHawks. But it was on Friday night against Long Beach where Vanderhoff really shined. He picked up a hat trick and also grabbed five assists in a big win over the Sharks. The Skylands forward is currently riding a seven game point streak and during that span, has registered 23 points.
2nd Star: Jeremy Wilber, F, Binghamton Junior Senators
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Craig Garrigan, F, Skylands Kings – Geoffrey LaMorre, D, Binghamton Junior Senators
South Division Star of the Week: Carson Murison, Goalie, Texas Brahmas
The workhorse for the Texas Brahmas appeared in three games this week and only allowed two goals in those games. On President’s day, Murison turned aside all 37 shots he faced as the Brahmas blanked the Point Mallard Ducks 2-0. Then on Friday night, Murison stopped 20 of 21 shots as the Brahmas topped the Jr. Stars 4-1. For the week, Murison had a goals against average of 1.11 and a save percentage of .967.
2nd Star: Talon Medure, F, Atlanta Capitals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Sam Sykes, F, Texas Brahmas
West Division Star of the Week: Brady Dahl, Forward, Granite City Lumberjacks
The forward from Rochester, Minnesota helped his team to a weekend sweep of the Breezy Point North Stars. Dahl scored the game winning goal in Friday night’s win and added an assist as well. He also gave out another assist in Saturday night’s win, giving him three points on the weekend. He finished the weekend with a plus-3 rating as his Lumberjacks won their seventh game in a row and tied the New Ulm Steel at the top of the West Division standings.
2nd Star: Reese Kaehler, F, Granite City Lumberjacks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
