3HL announces Combat Hockey 3 stars of the week

February 7, 2012

The North American 3 Hockey League (3HL) today announced the Three Stars of the Week presented by Combat Hockey for the week ending February 5, 2012. The Three Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2011-12 regular season that honors the top performing players each week of the regular season as nominated by their respective teams.

1st Star: Michael Mikulan, forward, Peoria Mustangs
Peoria is currently riding a six-game winning streak and a major reason why has been the play of forward Michael Mikulan. Look no further than this past weekend, as Mikulan, 20, led his Mustangs to three more wins as he totaled 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) in those three games. On Friday, the native of Aurora, Illinois had his best game of the weekend as he recorded two goals and three assists in a 7-1 road win at Quad City. The next night, Mikulan (5’11/180) scored both Peoria goals, including the game-winner, in a close 2-1 win over the Jr. Flames. Mikulan wrapped up the weekend with another goal and two more assists in a 7-1 win on Sunday against Quad City. Mikulan leads the Mustangs in scoring this season with 43 points in 42 games and ranks 2nd in goals in the 3HL with 27. “Michael’s numbers are great, but he brings so much more to the table than production,” said Mustangs GM Jean Guy Trudel. “He is like a motor that never stops running. He is a fun player to watch and coach.”

2nd Star: Michael Parda, goaltender, Peoria Mustangs
Parda, 19, has been one of the top goaltenders in the 3HL for two years now and his performance this past weekend is evidence of why. Parda (6’0/160) won both of his starts this past weekend helping Peoria continue their current six-game winning streak. The native of Waukesha, Wisconsin stopped a combined 64 of 66 total shots, good for a goals against average of 1.00 and a save percentage of almost 97%. On Saturday, Parda stopped 29 of 30 shots in a 2-1 win against Quad City. The next day, he was even better, stopped 35 of 36 shots in a 7-1 win. Parda currently ranks 3rd in the 3HL with a 92.1% save percentage and has won his last four starts allowing just six goals in that span. “Michael was one of the best goalies in the league last year and as soon as we had the chance to get him, we jumped at it,” said Peoria GM Jean Guy Trudel. “He is a perfectionist, which you don’t mind seeing in your goaltender. We are an entirely different and better team with him in goal.”

3rd Star: Nick Marsh, forward, North Iowa Bulls
North Iowa Bulls forward Nick Marsh, 19, helped the Bulls snap the St. Louis Jr. Blues 13-game winning streak over the weekend with a great individual performance. On Friday, the native of Gross Pointe Farms, Michigan had a hand in all three Bulls goals in a close 4-3 loss. Marsh (5’10/185) recorded a goal and two assists in the loss. The next night, Marsh recorded two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist as North Iowa handed St. Louis their first regular season loss since the 3HL Showcase in early December by a score of 6-5. For the weekend, he scored a total of six points (3 goals, 3 assists) and had a game-winning goal. In 30 games this season, Marsh has 36 points and ranks 3rd on the team in scoring. “Nick has made a huge impact lately and has really stepped up the level of his game and most importantly, is doing it against the top teams,” said Bulls head coach Todd Sanden. “He plays in all situations and is a great leader in the lockerroom. He is a prototypical great hockey player and person on and off the ice.”

Honorable Mention (alphabetical order): Schuyler Ferguson, goaltender, Michigan Mountain Cats – Steve Heller, forward, North Iowa Bulls – Josh Kestner, forward, Flint Jr. Generals – Steve Klisz, forward, Metro Jets – James Koonce, forward, Michigan Mountain Cats – Andy Lay, forward, Flint Jr. Generals – Peter Lindblad, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks – Ryan Quigley, forward, Toledo Cherokee – Justin Shureb, forward, Metro Jets – Corey Sikich, defenseman, Quad City Jr. Flames – Zac Sikich, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks – Pat Smiatacz, forward, Toledo Cherokee – TJ West, forward, Quad City Jr. Flames.