Photo credit: Garrett James Photography
Okotoks Oilers forward Michael Kowalski, Vernon Vipers forward Sebastian Bradshaw and West Kelowna Warriors goaltender Angelo Zol have been named the NAPA Auto Parts 3 Stars of the Week.
1st Star – Michael Kowalski (F) – Okotoks Oilers
Kowalski led all players with six points last week, scoring three goals and adding a trio of assists over two contests.
On Friday against the Sherwood Park Crusaders, with his team down 4-2 in the third period, the Chicago, Ill. product scored twice in the final seven minutes to force overtime in an eventual 5-4 defeat. He chipped in with an assist earlier in the game to finish with three points. A night later, he registered his second straight three-point outing with a goal and two helpers in a 6-4 loss to the Vernon Vipers.
Kowalski is now up to 18 points in 24 games this year, which is third most on his team.
2nd Star – Sebastian Bradshaw (F) – Vernon Vipers
Bradshaw averaged a goal per game last week over three contests, adding two assists to finish with five points.
After being held off the scoresheet on Wednesday against the Brooks Bandits, the 2023 seventh round pick of the Dallas Stars buried two goals and chipped in with an assist on Friday night in a 6-3 road victory over the Cranbrook Bucks. On Saturday, he notched his second straight multi-point outing with a goal and a helper in a 6-4 win against the Okotoks Oilers.
Bradshaw has four goals, seven assists and 11 points in 21 games this year split between Vernon and the Langley Rivermen.
3rd Star – Angelo Zol (G) – West Kelowna Warriors
Zol stopped 40 of 41 shots over two games last week to post a .976 save percentage, which was tops in the league among goaltenders with at least two appearances. He also earned a league-best 0.50 goals-against average and clinched his third shutout of the season.
On Friday, the 20-year-old stopped all 18 shots he faced and was named first star of the game in a 3-0 home win over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. The following night, in the back half of a home-and-home set with Salmon Arm, Zol made 22 saves on 23 shots, but the Warriors fell short in a 2-0 loss.
Zol’s .936 save percentage on the season and 1.54 goals-against average lead the BCHL among qualified goalies. His 15 wins are also tied for the league lead, while his three shutouts are one back of top spot.
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Honourable mentions:
Vernon Vipers F Dmitrii Kubantsev: 3GP – 1G – 4A – 5PTS
Vernon Vipers F Anthony Nolan: 2GP – 4A – 4PTS
Cowichan Valley Capitals F Gavin Nemis: 2GP – 2G – 2A – 4PTS
Sherwood Park Crusaders F Bode Sampair: 2GP – 2G – 2A – 4PTS
Okotoks Oilers F Joseph Meredith: 2GP – 1G – 3A – 4PTS
