Photo credit: Garrett James Photography
Chilliwack Chiefs defenceman Olivier Beaulieu, West Kelowna Warriors goaltender Angelo Zol and Prince George Spruce Kings forward Tai Ushio have been named the NAPA Auto Parts 3 Stars of the Week.
1st Star – Olivier Beaulieu (D) – Chilliwack Chiefs
Beaulieu led all players with eight points in three games last week, also finishing with the most assists with seven, in a trio of Chiefs wins.
On Wednesday afternoon, the 20-year-old defenceman was named first star of the game after putting up a goal and an assist in a 3-1 road win over the Surrey Eagles. On Friday, Beaulieu collected a pair of helpers in 7-2 victory in a rematch with the Eagles, before finishing with his third straight multi-point outing, this time with four assists in a 7-5 home win over the Powell River Kings where he was again named first star.
The fourth-year Chief is now just one point back of the league lead among blueliners with 29 points in 24 contests, while his 25 assists lead all skaters.
2nd Star – Angelo Zol (G) – West Kelowna Warriors
Last week, Zol’s .974 save percentage led all netminders with at least two games played, as did his 0.50 goals-against average. He stopped 37 of 38 shots across two starts, winning both contests and collecting his second shutout of the season.
Zol stopped 12 of 13 shots on Friday night in his team’s 7-1 home win over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. The following night, he got the start again when the Warriors took on the Trail Smoke Eaters, their division rivals just separated by two points in the standings. The Kelowna, B.C. product produced his best start of the season, stopping all 25 shots he faced, including 12 in the third period alone, as his team held off the Smoke Eaters for a 1-0 victory. Zol was named first star of the game.
The 2005-born goaltender leads the league with a .932 save percentage and a 1.66 goals-against average. His 14 wins are tied for the most in the league, while his two shutouts are one back of top spot.
3rd Star – Tai Ushio (F) – Prince George Spruce Kings
Ushio averaged three points per game over the weekend, finishing with six points in two contests on a pair of goals and four helpers.
On Friday night, in the first of two straight home games against the Victoria Grizzlies, the Japanese-born forward and Team World captain at next month’s Canada vs. World Game had a goal and three assists, including the eventual game-winner early in the third period, as the Spruce Kings edged the Grizzlies 5-4. He was named first star of the game. A night later, Ushio picked up a goal and an assist to extend his point streak to seven games in his team’s 7-3 victory.
Ushio now sits with 14 goals in 20 games this year, tied for seventh most in the BCHL, while his 31 points are also tied for seventh.
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Honourable mentions:
Chilliwack Chiefs F Jack Plandowski: 3GP – 3G – 4A – 7PTS
Chilliwack Chiefs F Nico Grabas: 3GP – 3G – 3A – 6PTS
West Kelowna Warriors F Ruslan Jamaldinov: 2GP – 3G – 2A – 5PTS
Brooks Bandits F Nicholas Addy: 2GP – 3G – 1A – 4PTS
Prince George Spruce Kings F Ben Vreugdenhil: 2GP – 1G – 4A – 5PTS
