Photo credit: Garrett James Photography
Surrey Eagles goaltender Eli Pulver, Alberni Valley Bulldogs goaltender Hobie Heduist and Penticton Vees forward Josh Nadeau have been named the NAPA Auto Parts 3 Stars of the Week, for the week ending Feb. 19.
1st Star – Eli Pulver (G) – Surrey Eagles
Pulver made 79 saves on 81 shots last week, finishing with a .975 save percentage and a 0.96 goals-against average, while going 2-0 and recording his sixth shutout of the season.
The 19-year-old netminder faced 45 shots on Friday night against the Langley Rivermen, including 19 in the first period alone. He went on to make 43 saves in his team’s 3-2 shootout victory.
On Sunday afternoon, Pulver could not be beat as he swatted aside all 36 shots that came his way in Surrey’s 1-0 victory over the Chilliwack Chiefs, a win which clinched the inaugural Mainland Cup title.
After recording his league-best sixth shutout this year, the Vancouver native is just one back of the single-season record for shutouts in a season. Pulver’s .928 save percentage ranks third in the BCHL, while his 2.35 goals-against average is fourth.
2nd Star – Hobie Hedquist (G) – Alberni Valley Bulldogs
Hedquist posted a .972 save percentage and a 1.00 goals-against average in two starts over the weekend, stopping 69 of 71 shots in a pair of wins and being named first star in each contest.
The University of North Dakota commit stopped 30 of 31 shots on Friday night against Island rivals the Nanaimo Clippers as he backstopped the Bulldogs to a 3-1 road victory. Back at home on Saturday, Hedquist got the call in the crease again, this time facing 40 shots and only allowing a single goal in a 5-1 Alberni win.
The 20-year-old from Heron Lake, Minn. has 20 wins in 33 appearances this year and owns a .912 save percentage and a 2.83 goals-against, both top-10 in the league.
3rd Star – Josh Nadeau (F) – Penticton Vees
Nadeau led all players in scoring last week with six points in two games after putting up two goals and four assists in two Vees wins over the weekend.
On Friday night, the elder of the two Nadeau brothers potted a goal and two assists all in the first period as the Vees jumped out to a 6-1 lead over the West Kelowna Warriors after the opening frame in a game they would go on to win 8-2.
The next night, the University of Maine commit had his second consecutive one-goal, two-assist performance, this time on the road in a 7-2 victory over the Merritt Centennials.
Nadeau now has 80 points on the year and is the BCHL’s second-leading scorer with 80 in 43 games, just two back of his brother’s league lead. His 53 assists this season are the most among all players.
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Honourable mentions:
Vernon Vipers F Lee Parks: 2GP – 3G – 2A – 5PTS
Penticton Vees F Aydar Suniev: 2GP – 3G – 2A – 5PTS
Chilliwack Chiefs G Austin McNicholas: 2GP – W – SO – .980 SV% – 0.50 GAA
Powell River Kings F Karter McNarland: 3GP – 4G – 1A – 5PTS
Alberni Valley Bulldogs F Nicholas Beneteau: 2GP – 3G – 1A – 4PTS
Wenatchee Wild F Cade Littler: 2GP – 2G – 2A – 4PTS
