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 December 15, 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: Tim Tarvis, forward, Wisconsin Whalers
Wisconsin scored 12 goals this weekend in a sweep of the Breezy Point North Stars, and five of those goals during the weekend went to Whalers forward Tim Tarvis. The 20-year-old from St. Charles, Illinois totaled five goals in the two wins, with one of those goals being the game-winner and he was also a +5 on the weekend. On Friday, Tarvis (6’1/190) had four goals in a 7-4 win. On Saturday, Tarvis scored the game-winning goal in a 5-1 win. For the season, Tarvis has 26 points in 26 games played and five of his nine goals to date came over the weekend. “Tim played really well this weekend and he put the team on his shoulders and carried us for large portions of the two games,” said Whalers head coach Tom McDermott. “He did a great job at finishing his chances.”
East Division Star of the Week: Justin Fisher, forward, Flint Junior Generals
Two games and two more wins for the Flint Junior Generals this past weekend as they completed a weekend home sweep of the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks by identical 5-2 scores on both Saturday and Sunday. Forward Justin Fisher, 20, had two points each night for a four-point weekend. On Saturday, the native of Flushing, Michigan had two goals in a 5-2 win. On Sunday, Fisher (5’10/190) had two assists in another 5-2 win. One of those assists was on the game-winning goal. Fisher is the Junior Generals leading scorer this season with 36 points in 30 games played for the East-leading Junior Generals. “Justin has stepped up as of late and been real consistent for us,” said Flint head coach Steve Howard. “He is one of the heart and soul guys of the team and he has been real effective night in and night out.”
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Dominic Antonelli, forward, Toledo Cherokee – Anders Franke, goaltender, Flint Junior Generals – Brad Hepler, defenseman, Metro Jets - Abram Prince, forward, Michigan Mountain Cats
South Division Star of the Week: Hardijs Kupaks, forward, Topeka Capitals
20-year-old Topeka forward Hardijs Kupacks went off this weekend as the Capitals completed a weekend sweep in Battle Creek against the Revolution. The native of Riga, Latvia had eight points in the two wins, which included four goals and four assists. Kupaks (6’0/175) was also a +5 and both game-winning goals in the series. On Saturday, Kupaks had two goals and an assist in a 6-4 win. On Sunday, Kupaks was even better as he scored twice and had three assists in a 7-1 win. In 20 games this season, Kupaks has 24 points, which ranks second on the team. "This a much deserved award for Hardijs. He's been playing so well and has emerged as one our leaders and we are happy to see him recognized for it," said Topeka head coach Anthony Bohn.
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
West Division Star of the Week: Brandon Anderson, forward, North Iowa Bulls
20-year-old North Iowa forward Brandon Anderson helped his team to a weekend home sweep of the Granite City Lumberjacks last weekend. The 6’5/210 lbs. native of St. Could, Minnesota totaled four assists and was a +4 as the Bulls fought out two, two-goal wins over their rivals from the North. After a 4-2 win on Friday, Anderson went off for four assists on Saturday, including assisting on the game-winning goal as the Bulls completed the weekend sweep with a 6-4 win. Anderson has played four games in the NAHL this season and in NA3HL action with the Bulls he has 16 points in 16 games played. “He is capable of having big nights like he did on Saturday, but he really does the little things well,” said Bulls head coach Todd Sanden. “He blocks shots, he finishes checks and he plays the body in order to benefit the team. He is the ultimate team player.”
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ron Lindgren, defenseman, North Iowa Bulls – Christian Mohs, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks
