NA3HL announces Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey
he North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending November 8, 2020. The divisional stars of the week are awards given each week of the regular season to the top-performing players in each of the five divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
Central Division Star of the Week: Cole Walter, G, Peoria Mustangs
Walter rose to the occasion in two starts against Milwaukee this week, backstopping the Mustangs to a pair of wins with 64 saves in that span. The Rochester, MN native stopped 33 of 36 shots in Friday’s win, good for a .917 save percentage, and was again dominant with 31 saves on 32 shots to top the Power on Saturday. With a season-best .969% in that second win, Walter’s stat totals jumped up to a .913 save percentage and a 2.45 GAA as the veteran netminder moved to 3-1-0 on the year.
2nd Star: Micah Gernander, F, Rochester Grizzlies
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Rickey Jones, F, Peoria Mustangs — Justin Wright, F, Rochester Grizzlies
East Division Star of the Week: Ben Pizzimenti, F, Northeast Generals
Pizzimenti spearheaded a potent Generals attack that took down New Jersey twice this week, logging six points in two wins over their new East Division rivals. Friday featured a two-goal, two-assist showing from the Cedar Rapids, IA native, and Saturday saw him pot the game-winning goal alongside another helper. In eight games this season, Pizzimenti has recorded four goals, seven assists and 11 points.
2nd Star: Connor Lefkof, D, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): James Clarke, F, Northeast Generals — Brandon Cope, F, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks — Eyan Gonzalvez-Helm, D, New Jersey Titans
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Owen Miley, D, Missoula Jr. Bruins
Miley was an offensive force from the blue line this week, notching six points in two games to help the Bruins split a back-to-back in Yellowstone. On Friday, Miley posted a hat-trick — his first of the year, and second consecutive multi-goal performance — as the Bruins blew the doors of the Quake 11-1. He was again a key figure in Saturday’s OT loss, setting up three Missoula goals to make it 11 points now on his four-game point streak. Miley is producing just shy of two points per game on average, boasting 6g-10a—16pts in nine games this season.
2nd Star: Tristan Baker, F, Gillette Wild
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Zach Brydges, F, Sheridan Hawks — Maxim Currie, G, Missoula Jr. Bruins — Connor Doyle, D, Great Falls Americans — Jack Harris, F, Yellowstone Quake — Jake Hayes, F, Great Falls Americans — Simon Herz, D, Sheridan Hawks — Dylan Rumpke, F, Yellowstone Quake
South Division Star of the Week: Tristan Maestas, F, El Paso Rhinos
Maestas and the Rhinos finally made their NA3HL debut this week, and the forward was at his best right from the start. After recording an assist in a tight shootout loss on Friday, Maestas potted a hat-trick to lead El Paso to its first NA3HL victory. He then followed up with another stellar showing, posting a goal and three assists in Sunday’s win as well. Through just three games, Maestas leads the Rhinos with 4g-4a—8pts on the season.
2nd Star: Tyler Blanchard, F, Texas Brahmas
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Cooper Anderson, D, El Paso Rhinos — Jack Cooper, F, Texas Brahmas — Max Hetman, G, Texas RoadRunners — Tim Marsico, F, Texas RoadRunners — Gunner Moore, D, Atlanta Capitals — Kirill Nikulichev, F, Atlanta Capitals
West Division Star of the Week: Owen Thomas, F, Willmar Warhawks
Thomas and the Warhawks were busy this week with three games on the slate, but the Chaska, MN native made an impact in all three outings to help his team to a 2-1-0 showing. With an assist in Friday’s loss to North Iowa, Thomas doubled his efforts with two goals to pace Willmar’s OT win over New Ulm. In Sunday’s rematch against the Steel, Thomas was again a featured player, notching another goal and two assists as the Warhawks again topped New Ulm. Thomas has now found the scoresheet in five straight games, posting 4g-4a—8pts on that streak, and moving to 4g-7a—11pts in 10 games on the season.
2nd Star: Carter Newpower, F, North Iowa Bulls
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Lucas Jorgenson, F, North Iowa Bulls — Ryne Mohrman, D, Willmar Warhawks — James Spaargaren, F, New Ulm Steel
