Photo credits: Liz Wolter (Cranston, Ashton), Martin Ross (McIntosh)
Surrey Eagles forward Caden Cranston, Langley Rivermen defenceman Luke Ashton and Cranbrook Bucks goaltender Braedyn McIntosh have been named the NAPA Auto Parts 3 Stars of the Week.
1st Star – Caden Cranston (F) – Surrey Eagles
Cranston topped all scorers in the BCHL last week with six points in two games after notching a pair of goals and four assists.
The 19-year-old had his biggest offensive output in the BCHL on Friday night when he piled up four points in a 6-4 Eagles win over the Powell River Kings. He chipped in with a power-play assist less than three minutes into the game to put his team up 1-0, then with his team down 4-2 in the middle frame, he earned the primary assist on another power-play goal to cut the lead to one. In the third, Cranston tied the game, again with the man advantage, then scored the winner while shorthanded with just 27 seconds to play in regulation. He was named first star of the game.
On Saturday, he had helpers on both of Surrey’s goals in their 3-2 overtime loss to the Chilliwack Chiefs.
Cranston leads the BCHL in scoring with 38 points in 24 games at the holiday break. His 17 goals are one off the league lead.
2nd Star – Luke Ashton (D) – Langley Rivermen
Ashton had four points in two games last week on two goals and two assists.
The 2005-born defenceman registered an assist on Friday in Langley’s 5-3 home loss to the Nanaimo Clippers. The following night, he had a career-best three-point outing in a 5-2 victory over the Powell River Kings. He opened the scoring against Powell River with his 10th goal of the season with 3:09 to play in the first period, then chipped in with a power-play assist in the second to make it 3-1 Rivermen. He would later cap the scoring with another goal on his third power-play marker of the season. He was named first star of the game.
Ashton leads all BCHL defencemen with 11 goals on the year and sits eighth among league blueliners with 22 points in 29 games.
3rd Star – Braedyn McIntosh (G) – Cranbrook Bucks
McIntosh stopped 69 of the 72 shots he faced last weekend to post a .958 save percentage and a 1.51 goals-against average.
In Friday night’s game against the Vernon Vipers, the Milton, Ont. native faced 42 shots and only let one by him as he helped the Bucks to a 3-1 win over the Vernon Vipers. He was named first star of the game. The following night, McIntosh was in the crease for the Bucks again and made 28 stops on 30 shots in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. For the second game in a row, he was named first star.
Since joining Cranbrook in mid-November, McIntosh has a 3-3-0 record with a .938 save percentage and a 2.12 goals-against average.
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Honourable mentions:
Coquitlam Express F Drew Garzone: 2GP – 3G – 1A – 4PTS
Coquitlam Express F Jake Manfre: 2GP – 1G – 3A – 4PTS
Cowichan Valley Capitals F Luke Lavery: 2GP – 2G – 2A – 4PTS
Prince George Spruce Kings F Owen Goodbrand: 2GP – 2G – 2A – 4PTS
Salmon Arm Silverbacks G Eli Pulver: 2GP – 2W – .950 SV% – 1.50 GAA
Salmon Arm Silverbacks D Tristan Allen: 3GP – 1G – 4A – 5PTS
West Kelowna Warriors D Isaiah Norlin: 3GP – 5A – 5PTS
West Kelowna Warriors F Jack Pridham: 3GP – 2G – 3A – 5PTS
Nanaimo Clippers F Mike Murtagh: 3GP – 3G – 2A – 5PTS
Langley Rivermen F Adyn Merrick: 2GP – 1G – 3A – 4PTS
