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 September 16, 2018. The divisional stars of the week are awards 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: Jake Faulkner, Defenseman, St. Louis Jr. Blues
The Blues’ star blueliner kicked off his campaign in style, netting 3g-6a-9pts and becoming the NA3HL’s highest-scoring defenseman in 2018-19 as his team opened up their slate of games with a three-game sweep of Evansville. Faulkner chipped in two goals and two assists in the first contest, a 16-0 rout, then followed it up with another multi-point effort in game two, notching three assists in a 6-0 win. He closed out his week with a goal and an assist in the Blues’ 11-0 win on Sunday.
2nd Star: Aaron Dickstein, G, Milwaukee Power
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Noah Brandau, G, Evansville Jr. Thunderbolts - Tyler Dorion, G, Evansville Jr. Thunderbolts - James Lowry, F, Wisconsin Whalers - Matthew Monreal, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues - Tanner Mros, F, Wisconsin Whalers - Ryan Payne, D, Milwaukee Power - Trevor Smith, G, Peoria Mustangs - Tristan Trudel, F, Peoria Mustangs
Coastal Division Star of the Week: Cade Lambdin, Forward, Long Beach Sharks
The NA3HL’s second-leading point-getter came flying out of the gates in Long Beach’s opening two contests of 2018-19. In the Sharks’ 5-2 win over Cape Cod on Friday, Lambdin netted a goal and three assists. He followed that performance up with another strong showing, striking for four goals and two assists in Saturday’s contest to bring his weekend and season-to-date total to 5g-5a-10pts in just two games.
2nd Star: John Driscoll, G, Northeast Generals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Chandler Bilodeau, F, Maine Wild - Thaddeus Marcola, F, Northeast Generals
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Lindros Beard, F, Great Falls Americans
Beard posted an assist on the Americans’ game-winning goal in a 3-2 victory over Yellowstone on Friday night, then followed it up with a four-goal romp in their rematch the next day, tying the league high for individual goals in a game. The Copperton, UT native boasts three power-play markers on the year — all scored in that four-goal game on Saturday — which leads the league and marks the most single-game PPG scored by one player this season.
2nd Star: Hazen McKay, F, Bozeman Icedogs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): John Bannon, F, Missoula Jr. Bruins - Darren Donovan, F, Helena Bighorns - Austin Leadbetter, F, Missoula Jr. Bruins - Braxton Lorenz, D, Great Falls Americans - Elliott Plourde, F, Helena Bighorns
Northeast Division Star of the Week: Eric Melso, F, Binghamton Jr. Senators
Much like his Coastal division counterpart Lambdin, Eric Melso got off to a hot start during his teams’ first two games of the season. Melso found twine four times and added four helpers during Friday’s game, and posted a +8 rating in Binghamton’s 16-2 win. Saturday featured more of the same, with Melso bagging a hat-trick and two assists in a 16-1 victory. Melso currently paces all skaters in both goals and points, and his eight-point outing on Friday is the most tallied by one player in a single game this season.
2nd Star: Ben White, G, Oswego Stampede
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tommy Kilway, F, Oswego Stampede - Josh Mitchell, G, Niagara Falls Powerhawks
South Division Star of the Week: Jason Ladzinski, F, Atlanta Capitals
The Atlanta Capitals kicked off their campaign with a trio of impressive wins over the College Station Spirit, and their leading scorer, Jason Ladzinski, led the pack with two or more points in each contest. The Norcross, GA native recorded two assists in the opening outing on Friday, then broke out with a shorthanded goal and three assists the next day. He ended the weekend with a pair of goals and an assist in Atlanta’s third game, and currently ranks tied for fourth in points among NA3HL skaters.
2nd Star: Mitch Dolese, F, Louisiana Drillers
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tucker Alspaugh, D, Louisiana Drillers - Josh Linn, F, Mid Cities Jr. Stars - Gunner Moore, D, Atlanta Capitals
West Division Star of the Week: Grant Troumbly, F, Granite City Lumberjacks
The Lumberjacks have only taken the ice once this season, but Troumbly made his mark quickly. The Bovey, MN native potted a hat-trick — including the game-winning goal — and added an assist in Granite City’s opening win over the Rochester Grizzlies.
2nd Star: Matt Dahlseide, F, North Iowa Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jordan Olson, D, Granite City Lumberjacks - Val Popowski, D, Alexandria Blizzard - Peter Verstegen, F, North Iowa Bulls
