Photo credit: Garrett James Photography
Nanaimo Clippers goaltender Cooper Black, Langley Rivermen goaltender Ajeet Gundarah and West Kelowna Warriors forward Felix Trudeau have been named the BCHL 3 Stars of the Week.
1st Star – Cooper Black (G) – Nanaimo Clippers
Black was nearly unbeatable in Games 3 and 4 of the Nanaimo Clippers second-round series against the Chilliwack Chiefs. The 20-year-old led the BCHL with a sparkling .986 save percentage during the week, as well as a 0.46 goals-against average, stopping 72 of the 73 shots he faced over two games.
On Monday, Black made 35 saves, including 25 over the first two periods, to help the Clippers reach overtime and eventually earn a 2-1 win in Game 3. The next night, the Alpena, Mich. product earned his first shutout of the postseason, stopping every puck that came his way in a game the Clippers were outshot 37-20. Nanaimo scored the lone goal of the game late in the third period to get the 1-0 win and sweep their second straight playoff series.
After two rounds, Black leads all qualified goalies with a .947 save percentage in the postseason, as well as 1.71 goals-against average. He has won all eight of his starts in the playoffs.
2nd Star – Ajeet Gundarah (G) – Langley Rivermen
Gundarah limited the first-place Alberni Valley Bulldogs to just two goals in each of their four games last week, finishing with a .945 save percentage and a 1.73 goals-against average over the past seven days. He earned two wins in four games, including a triple overtime victory in Game 4 and a Game 6 triumph on Saturday to advance to the Coastal Conference Finals.
On Tuesday in Game 3, Gundarah stopped 32 of 34 shots in a 2-0 Rivermen loss. He helped the team rebound a night later, making 38 saves, including 16 after regulation, in Langley’s 3-2 triple-overtime win in Game 4. The 18-year-old made 33 saves on 35 shots in Friday’s 2-1 Game 5 loss, but was a key part in the team’s 5-2 win in Game 6 on Saturday, making 35 saves to earn the win and help the Rivermen advance to Round 3.
Gundarah has a .929 save percentage in the postseason, third highest among qualified goalies. His 2.33 goals-against average is fifth best in the BCHL Playoffs.
3rd Star – Felix Trudeau (F) – West Kelowna Warriors
Trudeau tied for the points lead among BCHL skaters last week with with six in three games. His five assists also tied for tops in the league as he helped the Warriors win two of three games against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks to move on to Round 3.
The University of Maine commit had a goal and an assist in Game 3 on Monday, guiding the Warriors to a 4-1 win and giving them a 3-0 series lead. On Wednesday in Game 4, Trudeau assisted on the Warriors lone goal in their 4-1 loss to Salmon Arm. On Friday, he piled up three assists as West Kelowna came back from down 3-1 to double up the Silverbacks 6-3 and win the series in five games.
After missing the first two games of the playoffs, Trudeau has points in seven of his eight postseason games, including six multi-point efforts. He is tied for fourth in playoff scoring with 14 points in eight games.
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Honourable mentions:
Nanaimo Clippers F Keighan Gerrie: 2GP – 3G – 3PTS
Alberni Valley Bulldogs G Hobie Hedquist: 4GP – 2W – 1 SO – .943 SV% – 1.72 GAA
Chilliwack Chiefs G Grant Riley: 2GP – .943 SV% – 1.39 GAA
Salmon Arm Silverbacks F Brandon Santa Juana: 3GP – 1G – 5A – 6PTS
Penticton Vees F Luc Wilson: 2GP – 4A
Prince George Spruce Kings F Luc Laylin: 2GP – 1G – 3A – 4PTS
West Kelowna Warriors F Christophe Farmer: 3GP – 3G – 2A – 5PTS