Photo credits: Liz Wolter (Argentina), Chris Fowler Photography (Pulver), Jennifer Small (Barone)
Chilliwack Chiefs forward Matt Argentina, Salmon Arm Silverbacks goaltender Eli Pulver and Trail Smoke Eaters defenceman Adam Barone have been named the NAPA Auto Parts 3 Stars of the Week.
1st Star – Matt Argentina (F) – Chilliwack Chiefs
Argentina scored three goals and added an assist last weekend in a pair of road wins against the Powell River Kings.
With the Chiefs trailing 3-2 in the third period on Friday night, the Philadelphia, Pa. product scored to tie the game at the 12:46 mark, then buried the game-winner with four minutes to play as Chilliwack completed the two-goal third-period comeback to win 5-3.
On Saturday, in a rematch in Powell River, Argentina assisted on teammate Nathan Morin’s icebreaker goal midway through the opening stanza, then scored the insurance marker into an empty net while shorthanded with just 13 seconds to play to make it a 4-1 final score.
In the past two games, the 20-year-old forward more than doubled his goal output for the season. He is now up to five goals and seven points in 13 games played.
2nd Star – Eli Pulver (G) – Salmon Arm Silverbacks
Pulver stopped 74 pucks on 78 shots last week in his two appearances. He won both starts and posted a .949 save percentage and a 1.85 goals-against average.
The three-year BCHL veteran got the start on Wednesday night on the road against the West Kelowna Warriors. He faced 39 shots and stopped 37 of them to help force overtime. After a deadlocked 10-minute 3-on-3 period, the Silverbacks ultimately lost the game 3-2 in a shootout.
Pulver was back between the pipes on Friday night to face his former team, the Surrey Eagles. After losing a close back-and-forth game against the Eagles in October at the BCHL Showcase in Seattle, it was the ‘Backs turn win a close one as they held on for a 4-2 victory. Pulver made 38 saves to earn the win and was named second star of the game.
Pulver now owns an 8-4-1 record in 13 appearances with a .914 save percentage and a 2.43 goals-against average.
3rd Star – Adam Barone (D) – Trail Smoke Eaters
Barone led all defencemen last week with four points after racking up four assists in two games.
In Friday night’s game against the Trail Smoke Eaters, Barone registered an assist on his team’s goal early in the third, which tied the game 1-1, then was credited with a helper on teammate Adam Parson’s overtime winner with just 21 seconds to play in overtime as the Smokies earned a 3-2 victory.
The following night, the 2004-born blueliner picked up a pair of power-play assists, both in the second period, in Trail’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Merritt Centennials.
With 16 points on the season, Barone leads his team and is tied for 10th in league scoring among defencemen.
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Honourable mentions:
Chilliwack Chiefs F Nathan Morin: 2GP – 2G – 2A – 4PTS
Chilliwack Chiefs F Brady Milburn: 2GP – 1G – 3A – 4PTS
Chilliwack Chiefs G Austin McNicholas: 2GP – 2W – .938 SV% – 2.00 GAA
West Kelowna Warriors F Michael Salandra: 2GP – 1G – 3A – 4PTS
Alberni Valley Bulldogs F Nicholas Beneteau: 2GP – 4A – 4PTS
Merritt Centennials F Tyler Wishart: 2GP – 4A – 4PTS
Cowichan Valley Capitals G Cody Butikis: 1GP – W – .980 SV% – 1.00 GAA
Vernon Vipers G Ethan David: 1GP – W – .976 SV% – 0.86 GAA
