Photo credits: Garrett James Photography (Dilevka), Sophie Hayward (Vecvanags)
Brooks Bandits forward Dmitrijs Dilevka, Cranbrook Bucks goaltender Jason Tremblay and Victoria Grizzlies goaltender Mikus Vecvanags have been named the NAPA Auto Parts 3 Stars of the Week.
1st Star – Dmitrijs Dilevka (F) – Brooks Bandits
Dilevka put up eye-popping numbers in the Bandits two playoff wins last week over the Spruce Grove Saints, totaling a league-high 10 points on four goals and six assists.
In Tuesday night’s Game 3 in Spruce Grove, the Latvian forward had two goals and two helpers in a 7-2 win. A night later, Dilevka piled up six points (two goals, four assists) in his team’s series-clinching 9-3 win in Game 4. He was named first star of the game.
The 19-year-old is the BCHL Playoffs scoring leader with 15 points in four games, while also leading the league with six goals and nine assists.
2nd Star – Jason Tremblay (G) – Cranbrook Bucks
Tremblay started two of the Bucks three playoff contests last week, winning both games and stopping a combined 79 of 80 shots for a .988 save percentage and a 0.50 goals-against average, helping Cranbrook eliminate the number-one overall seeded West Kelowna Warriors in five games.
In Game 3 on Tuesday night, Tremblay stopped 46 of 47 shots and was named first star in a 2-1 home victory. After getting the night off in Game 4, the 2006-born netminder earned his first playoff shutout in Game 5 on Friday night, stopping all 33 shots he faced in a 2-0 triumph to clinch the series. He was once again named first star of the game.
Tremblay’s .972 save percentage and 1.02 goals-against average are both tops in the postseason.
3rd Star – Mikus Vecvanags (G) – Victoria Grizzlies
Vecvanags was an absolute workhorse for Victoria last week, winning three of four games in their series with the Cowichan Valley Capitals and stopping a combined 225 out of 236 shots for a .953 save percentage and a 2.52 goals-against average.
In Tuesday’s Game 3, the Latvian netminder stopped 54 of 57 shots in a 4-3 overtime win. A night later, Vecvanags made 51 stops on 53 shots and was named first star in another overtime win, this time by a 3-2 final. His signature performance came in Game 5 on Friday night, when the Grizzlies were outshot 79-29, but still pulled out a 2-1 double overtime victory. Vecvanags’ 78 saves were just one off of the BCHL modern era record for most in a single game. He finished his week by making another 42 stops in a 5-1 loss in Game 6 on Saturday.
The Montreal Canadiens draft pick has a .940 save percentage in the playoffs, third best in the league. Vecvanags and the Grizzlies will play a Game 7 tonight on the road against the Capitals.
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Honourable mentions:
Nanaimo Clippers F Hayden Fechner: 3GP – 4G – 4A – 8PTS
Chilliwack Chiefs G Vladislav Bryzgalov: 2GP – 2W – .949 SV% – 1.50 GAA
Cowichan Valley Capitals F Jack McAra: 4GP – 2G – 6A – 8PTS
Sherwood Park Crusaders F Braeden O’Keefe: 4GP – 5G – 2A – 7PTS
Brooks Bandits D Dante Siciliano: 2GP – 3G – 2A – 5PTS
Brooks Bandits F Mathis Dufour: 1GP – 2G – 3A – 5PTS
