3HL announces Combat Hockey 3 stars of the week
The North American 3 Hockey League (3HL) today announced the Three Stars of the Week presented by Combat Hockey for the week ending February 12, 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: Dillon Kelley, goaltender, Metro Jets
It was a perfect weekend for Metro Jets goaltender Dillon Kelley. The 17-year-old netminder from Petoskey, Michigan recorded back-to-back shutouts in both starts this past weekend, stopping a combined 67 shots in two road wins over the Michigan Mountain Cats. On Friday, Kelly (6’4/216) stopped all 27 shots that came his way in a 3-0 win. That including denying the Mountain Cats on all eight power plays they had in the game. On Saturday, Kelley was ever better, stopping all 40 shots that Michigan fired his way, including two more power plays. With the two wins and shutouts, Kelley improved his season record to 14-4-1 with three shutouts this season. “I thought Dillon was solid all weekend and came up with some key saves at key times in the game,” said Jets general manager Hal Wolfe. “He used his size to his advantage and played under control, keeping us in the game and giving us a chance to win.”
2nd Star: Parker Tomczyk, forward, Minnesota Flying Aces
Parker Tomczyk, 20, was a force this weekend in Minnesota’s weekend home sweep of the Twin City Steel. On Friday night, the native of Mosinee, Wisconsin had three assists (including one on the game-winning goal) in a 5-4 win. On Saturday, Tomczyk (5’8/165) was even better as recorded two goals (including the game-winner) and an assist in a 8-5 win. Tomczyk scored twice in the 3rd period as Minnesota scored four times in the period in the come-from-behind win. For the weekend, Tomczyk had two goals and four assists for six points in two games. “Parker was very solid with the puck and he comes up big in the most important situations,” said Flying Aces head coach Craig Larson. “He was multi-dimensional this weekend by being able to score goals in one game and distributing the puck in the other. His line is playing very well right now and they have great chemistry together.”
3rd Star: Eric Behrend, forward, North Iowa Bulls
North Iowa Bulls forward Eric Behrend, 19, has been on fire as of late and that all came to a front this past weekend in North Iowa’s home series against Peoria. Riding a four-game point streak, Behrend (6’0/180) had one of the best individual performances in the 3HL this season in a 9-4 win over the Mustangs. The native of Waunakee, Wisconsin, scored twice and added four assists for a six point night. The six point game set a new Bulls record and included a power play goal and a shorthanded goal. Although Behrend didn’t end up on the scoresheet the next night, he helped to Bulls to a 3-2 overtime win and a weekend sweep of the Mustangs. “Eric has been very good, especially in the second half of the season,” said Bulls head coach Todd Sanden. “He is good in the corners and brings a very physical presence. Most of all, he is hungry and driven to get to the next level.”
Honorable Mention (alphabetical order): Nathan Chasteen, forward, Peoria Mustangs – Cameron Dimmitt, forward, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks - Schuyler Ferguson, goalteder, Michigan Mountain Cats – Austin Fletcher, forward, Toledo Cherokee – Brian Harrison, defenseman, North Iowa Bulls – Alex Larson, goaltender, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks - Nick LaRue, defenseman, Granite City Lumberjacks – David Mnatsyan, defenseman, Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins – Trevor Ness, forward, Granite City Lumberjacks – Paul O’Connor, defenseman, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Ryan Quigley, forward, Toledo Cherokee – Clint Steinmeyer, goaltender, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Matt Stirling, forward, Metro Jets – Nico Vecchio, forward, Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins – Jordan Wood, goaltender, Michigan Mountain Cats.
