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 December 1, 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: Mathias Backstrom, G, Rochester Grizzlies
The Grizzlies picked up a pair of wins over the Mustangs over the weekend, thanks in large part to Backstrom’s efforts between the pipes. The Swedish netminder was in fine form, recording a 17-save shutout on Friday and stopping 26 of 27 shots in a follow-up win on Saturday. Backstrom has now won each of his last four starts, and boasts two shutouts in nine appearances this year.
2nd Star: Jaden Gardner, G, Peoria Mustangs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jesper Hofling, F, Rochester Grizzlies — Cole Walter, G, Peoria Mustangs
Coastal Division Star of the Week: Grigori Zemzer, F, Northeast Generals
Zemzer caught fire in a big way during Northeast’s win over Maine — the lone Coastal Division game of the week — with four goals in to drive the offense to an 11-0 victory. Zemzer scored in each period as his team cruised, pushing his season totals to 15g-8a—23pts in 21 games this year. His lamplighting outburst also kept his recent hot streak alive, making it six strikes in his last three games and nine in his last seven.
2nd Star: John Driscoll, G, Northeast Generals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Dylan Rumpke, F, Yellowstone Quake
Rumpke flexed his offensive muscles over the weekend as the Quake split a back-to-back with Butte, logging six points and stretching his goal-scoring streak to a stunning 11 games after strikes in both contests. Friday featured a trio of helpers as well from Rumpke, and his goal stood as the game-winner. On Saturday, he set up another tally in addition to his goal, marking his 12th-straight multi-point outing. Rumpke’s 2g-4a—6pts weekend pushed his season totals to 20g-23a—43pts in 24 games.
2nd Star: Viktor Wennberg, G, Great Falls Americans
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Jack Harris, F, Yellowstone Quake — Duncan McGarrah, F, Bozeman Icedogs — Jack Olson, F, Great Falls Americans — Justin Schwartzmiller, F, Sheridan Hawks — Logan Syrup, F, Sheridan Hawks — Kevin Tauntman, G, Helena Bighorns
Northeast Division Star of the Week: Did Not Play
2nd Star: None
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
South Division Star of the Week: Leevi Selanne, F, Texas Brahmas
After snapping a seven-game point streak on Nov. 24, Selanne responded with six points in a three-game set against Louisiana as the Brahmas went 2-1. In Friday’s win, Selanne scored twice — including the GWG — and added another assist. And after being held pointless in Texas’ loss on Saturday, the forward popped again with his second hat-trick of the season to help his team get back on track and close out the week with a win. Selanne now boasts 13g-13a—26pts in just 20 games this season.
2nd Star: Benjamin Mondou, F, Texas Brahmas
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
West Division Star of the Week: Carter Wagner, F, North Iowa Bulls
The Bulls traded wins with the Steel over the weekend, winning on Friday and dropping an OT decision on Saturday. Wagner featured heavily in the Bulls’ win, as he scored twice in a 4-3 contest midway through the third period to help give North Iowa some separation en route to a 6-3 victory. Wagner has now logged 4g-5a—9pts in his last seven games.
2nd Star: Nick Bowlin, F, North Iowa Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Cody Dias, F, Granite City Lumberjacks - Nathan Green, F, Granite City Lumberjacks