Photo credits: Garrett James Photography (Johnson, Zol), Jackson Ferguson (Grabas)
Brooks Bandits forward Isaac Johnson, West Kelowna Warriors goaltender Angelo Zol and Chilliwack Chiefs forward Nico Grabas have been named the FortisBC 3 Stars of the Month.
1st Star – Isaac Johnson (F) – Brooks Bandits
Johnson finished December with eight goals in seven games, the most of any player during that stretch. He added three assists to give himself 11 points, which also tied for the league lead.
The Bemidji State University commit registered multi-goal outings in three of seven contests and had at least a point in all but one game. His biggest performance came in a Dec. 10 road game against the Vernon Vipers where he notched three straight goals, including the game-winner in the third period, for his second hat trick of the season in a 7-4 win.
Johnson’s 20 goals this year are tied for third in the BCHL, while his 31 points are second in Bandits team scoring.
2nd Star – Angelo Zol (G) – West Kelowna Warriors
Zol won four of his six starts during the month and led the league in all goaltending statistical categories with a .971 save percentage, a 0.67 goals-against average and three shutouts.
The 20-year-old earned a shutout on Dec. 10 in a 1-0 victory over the Trail Smoke Eaters where he stopped all 25 shots he faced. In his next start, Zol again blanked his opponent, making 18 saves in a 3-0 win. His best outing came on Dec. 19 when he made 38 saves on 38 shots in a 3-0 victory over the Vernon Vipers. Even in his two losses during the month, he only allowed a combined three goals.
On the season, the Kelowna, B.C. native leads the BCHL with a .939 save percentage, a 1.49 goals-against average and four shutouts.
3rd Star – Nico Grabas (F) – Chilliwack Chiefs
Grabas averaged over two points per game during the month, registering 11 in just five contests on four goals and seven assists.
The Chiefs captain collected multiple points in four of five games in December, highlighted by a four-point outing on Dec. 5 when he collected a goal and three assists in a 7-2 win over the Surrey Eagles. He also had a three-point night on Dec. 19 in a 6-1 victory over the Coquitlam Express and a two-goal game in a 7-5 win against the Powell River Kings.
Grabas is currently in a tie for 13th in BCHL scoring with 32 points in 23 games on 14 goals and 18 assists.
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Honourable mentions:
Langley Rivermen G Dylan Johnson: 4GP – 4W – .959 SV% – 1.47 GAA – 1 SO
Salmon Arm Silverbacks G Daniel Dirracolo: 3GP – 2W – .957 SV% – 1.34 GAA – 1 SO
Cowichan Valley Capitals F Tristan Gravenor: 7GP – 4G – 7A – 11PTS
Chilliwack Chiefs F Reese Shaw: 5GP – 2G – 8A – 10PTS
Prince George Spruce Kings F Tai Ushio: 5GP – 4G – 5A – 9PTS
