NA3HL announces Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending February 17, 2019. The divisional stars of the week are awards given each week of the regular season to the top-performing players in each of the six divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
Central Division Star of the Week: Brady Lindauer, F, Coulee Region Chill
Lindauer continues to spearhead the stout Chill attack, flexing his scoring muscle once more with his sixth hat-trick of the season — including the game-winning goal — in Saturday’s win over Peoria. The NA3HL’s scoring leader has potted 117 points in 40 games this year, and, including his assist in Thursday’s victory over Wisconsin, now boasts 42-46—88 across his current remarkable 26-game point streak.
2nd Star: Hunter Muzzillo, D, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Blake Dangos, D, St. Louis Jr. Blues — Jaden Gardner, G, Peoria Mustangs — Devin Naidow, G, Coulee Region Chill — Stephen Zowin, D, Peoria Mustangs
Coastal Division Star of the Week: Valeri Rykov, F, L/A Nordiques
Rykov burst onto the scene after the turn of the calendar with points in 11 of his first 12 games with the Nordiques, racking up 23-21—44 in that span. Last week featured more of the same, as he recorded his first hat-trick of the season in a six-goal, three-assist explosion on Friday. On Saturday, the Russian forward was at it again, scoring once early before nabbing the game-winning goal and setting up another for his 10th multi-point outing.
2nd Star: Tami Merilainen, D, Northeast Generals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jeb Barrett, G, Northeast Generals — Cade Lambdin, F, Long Beach Sharks — Dino Mukovoz, F, Long Beach Sharks
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Dillon Hale, F, Gillette Wild
As the Wild split a weekend back-to-back set with the Cobras, Hale stepped up in a big way to end his five-game pointless drought and post four points in the two contests. On Friday, he scored once in regulation to help push his team to a 3-2 SO win, while Saturday saw him log his sixth multi-point game of the season (2-1—3) en route to a tough loss.
2nd Star: Payton McSharry, F, Great Falls Americans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Nick Castro, F, Yellowstone Quake — Logan Cooksy, G, Yellowstone Quake — Austin Newson, F, Gillette Wild — Drew Scites, G, Great Falls Americans
Northeast Division Star of the Week: Eric Melso, F, Binghamton Jr. Senators
The Senators have a number of key weapons up front which can make it hard to stand out as an individual, but Melso continues to be a reliable source of offense for his team night in and night out. The Pennsylvania native posted back-to-back multi-goal efforts, including his fourth hat-trick of the campaign on Friday. Melso then went 2-1—3 on Sunday to stretch his point streak to 13 games (12-15—27). In total, Melso has recorded 35-64—99 on the year, good for 3rd in the NA3HL.
2nd Star: Zakary Sparks, F, Skylands Kings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): — James Clarke, F, Skylands Kings — Dinmukhamed Dzhangarashev, D, Binghamton Jr. Senators
South Division Star of the Week: Ivan Matveev, F, Louisiana Drillers
After being held off the scoresheet for three consecutive games, Matveev erupted for four goals in two wins over Mid Cities last week, including a game-winner and a cumulative +6 rating. Friday saw him log a pair of goals in a 7-3 win, including the sealing strike, before again nabbing two on Saturday to fuel a closer 3-1 decision for the Drillers. Prior to last week’s action, Matveev had not scored more than once in a single game this season.
2nd Star: CJ Boothe, G, College Station Spirit
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Mitch Dolese, D, Louisiana Drillers
West Division Star of the Week: Brendan Studioso, F, North Iowa Bulls
The Bulls could not have asked for a better week, posting consecutive wins over top Central team St. Louis at home. Studioso played an important role in both contests, with two or more points and a +3 rating in each. He was a star playmaker in Friday’s win, setting up two goals, before finding twine himself on Saturday along with another two assists. Studioso has posted 11 points on his current six-game point streak, and ranks second on the Bulls with 20-30—50 in 40 games this year.
2nd Star: Cam Fagerlee, F, North Iowa Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
