Photo credits: Island Images (Kinch), Garrett James Photography (Martin, Merrick)
Nanaimo Clippers forward Dylan Kinch, Salmon Arm Silverbacks forward Maddux Martin and Langley Rivermen forward Adyn Merrick have been named the NAPA Auto Parts 3 Stars of the Week.
1st Star – Dylan Kinch (F) – Nanaimo Clippers
The Clippers scored 14 goals in two games last weekend and Kinch was in on half of them, totaling seven points on four goals and three assists in a pair of wins over the Powell River Kings.
On Friday night in Nanaimo, Kinch registered his first career BCHL hat trick in a 7-1 win. He scored twice in the second period and completed the three-goal milestone with a power-play marker in the third. Kinch was named first star of the game.
In the rematch on Sunday afternoon in Powell River, the Long Island University commit posted a career best four points in a 7-2 victory, after piling up a goal and a trio of helpers. His second period goal with the man advantage stood up as the game-winner. Kinch earned first star of the game honours for the second time in a row.
Kinch is now averaging a point per game with 18 in 18 contests, one back of the team lead. His eight goals are tied for most among Clippers players.
2nd Star – Maddux Martin (F) – Salmon Arm Silverbacks
Martin had six points in three games last week, totaling four goals and two assists in a trio of Silverbacks wins on their Alberta road trip.
On Wednesday, the Salmon Arm captain scored two goals in a 6-3 road win over the Sherwood Park Crusaders. With his team leading in the third, Martin scored two insurance goals in the final five minutes to fend off the Crusaders comeback.
The Silverbacks took on the Spruce Grove Saints on Friday in a goal-filled affair that ended in an 8-6 Salmon Arm win. Martin picked up a goal and an assist in the second period, with his marker coming on the power play.
The 2005-born forward capped off his week with another multi-point effort, this time with a goal and a helper in a 5-2 victory over the Blackfalds Bulldogs. Martin picked up a power-play assist in the first period, then scored his 10th of the year in the second, a goal that stood as the game-winner. He was named first star of the game.
Martin leads the Silverbacks in scoring with 19 points in 20 games, while his 10 goals are tied for most on the team.
3rd Star – Adyn Merrick (F) – Langley Rivermen
Merrick picked up five points in Langley’s two games last weekend, scoring twice and adding three assists.
The Saline, Mich. product had a goal and an assist on Friday in his team’s 6-3 home win over the Prince George Spruce Kings. With the Rivermen down 2-1 in the second, Merrick assisted on the tying goal with the man advantage, then scored the insurance marker to put his team up by two in the third period.
Langley hosted the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Saturday night and Merrick was all over the score sheet again, earning a point on every Rivermen goal in a 4-3 overtime loss. The 18-year-old picked up an assist in the first period, then had a goal and another assist in the second, both on the power play.
Merrick has 10 goals and 10 helpers this year for 20 points, good enough for second in goals and points among Rivermen players.
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Honourable mentions:
Salmon Arm Silverbacks F Tommy Cronin: 3GP – 3G – 3A – 6PTS
Salmon Arm Silverbacks D Ben MacBeath: 3GP – 1G – 5A – 6PTS
Prince George Spruce Kings F Brogan McNeil: 2GP – 3G – 1A – 4PTS
Langley Rivermen F Ryan Schelling: 2GP – 3G – 1A – 4PTS
Nanaimo Clippers G Chazz Nixon: 2GP – 2W – .950 SV% – 1.50 GAA
Nanaimo Clippers F Samuel Boisvert: 2GP – 2G – 2A – 4PTS
Nanaimo Clippers D Garin Ludwig: 2GP – 1G – 3A – 4PTS
Vernon Vipers F Landon MacDonald: 1GP – 3G – 3PTS
Vernon Vipers F Luke Bibby: 1GP – 2G – 1A – 3PTS
Brooks Bandits F Parker Lalonde: 1GP – 2G – 1A – 3PTS
