NA3HL announces Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Easton for the week ending October 20, 2013. 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 four divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
Central Division Star of the Week: Matt Kostopoulos, forward, Chicago Jr. Bulldogs
The Chicago Jr. Bulldogs picked up a weekend home sweep this past weekend of the Cincinnati Swords and veteran forward Matt Kostopoulos, 20, had a very consistent weekend. The native of Naperville, Illinois, had a three point weekend and registered points in both wins. On Saturday, Kostopoulos (5’7/170) had an assist on a power play goal in a 6-3 win. On Sunday, he chimed in with a penalty shot goal and an assist in a come-from-behind 7-6 win. For the season, Kostopoulos has six points in seven games played.
East Division Star of the Week: Jared Johnson, forward, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks
It has been quite the season thus far for second year Cleveland forward Jared Johnson. The 19-year-old from Hartland, Wisconsin leads the NA3HL in scoring because of weekend’s like he had this past weekend. Johnson (5’9/180) led the surging Lumberjacks to a weekend home-and-home sweep of Toledo. He totaled four points in the two wins. On Friday, Johnson had a goal and two assists in a 6-3 win. On Saturday, he added an assist in a 4-2 win. His 22 points currently leads all NA3HL scorers. “Jared has been one of the those veteran leaders from Day 1. He works very hard and leads by example,” said Cleveland head coach Bob Jacobson. “He is as dedicated as much off the ice as he is on the ice and he makes my job easier as a coach.”
South Division Star of the Week: Ben Owen, defenseman, Dallas Jr. Stars
The Dallas Jr. Stars posted a weekend split with the Sugar Land Imperials and defenseman Ben Owen contributed both night’s. The 6’1/195 lbs. native of Allen, Texas picked up the lone goal in Friday’s 7-1 loss to the Imperials. The next night, Owen, 20, had two assists including one of the game-winning goal in a 5-2 win. So far this season, Owen has five points in five games played. He also played in two games in September for the NAHL’s Lone Star Brahmas.
West Division Star of the Week: Joe Anderson, forward, Alexandria Blizzard
Alexandria Blizzard forward Joe Anderson, 19, was at the top of his game this past weekend as the Blizzard posted a weekend home sweep of the Wisconsin Whalers. The native of Hibbing, Minnesota, posted seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in the two wins, which included scoring the game-winning goal both night’s. On Friday, Anderson (5’11/175) had two goals and two assists in a 6-4 win. On Saturday, he countered with a goal and two assists in a 5-3 win. Although he has been with the Blizzard for just four games, Anderson already has nine points. “Joe is right on the cusp of being a player who will be a regular in the NAHL, but he did his job this weekend by putting points on the board and showcasing his skills,” said Blizzard head coach Jeff Crouse. “He plays with a physical edge, which makes him a great all-around player and he is highly regarded among his teammates.”
