Photo credits: Ralph Villaver (Mikan), Lisa Mazurek (Kim), Ideal Images (Croxall)
Powell River Kings forward Michael Mikan, Vernon Vipers forward Mason Kim and Blackfalds Bulldogs forward Matthew Croxall have been named the Lordco Auto Parts 3 Stars of the Week.
1st Star – Michael Mikan (F) – Powell River Kings
Mikan led the BCHL with seven points last week, scoring four goals and adding a trio of helpers in three road games.
The 19-year-old from Edina, Minn. had three points on Friday night, picking up a goal and two assists in a 5-4 overtime loss against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Both of his tallies came with the man advantage. A night later, Mikan helped spark a comeback with his team down 2-0, scoring late in the second period in an eventual 3-2 overtime win. He finished the week with another three-point outing, this time with a goal and two helpers in 6-5 overtime win against the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Sunday, earning the primary assist on the game-winner. This was the fourth straight overtime game for Powell River.
Mikan is tied for third in league scoring with 27 points in 13 games, while his 13 goals are tied for fifth.
2nd Star – Mason Kim (F) – Vernon Vipers
Kim averaged three points per game last week, finishing with two goals, four assists and six points in two contests.
On Friday, the first-year Viper picked up a pair of helpers in a 4-3 overtime loss to the West Kelowna Warriors, Vernon’s first loss on home ice this season. The following night, Kim piled up a season-best four points in an 8-2 home win over the Coquitlam Express where he had two goal and two assists and was named first star of the game. The 2007-born forward scored once on the power play and also had a shorthanded assist.
After his offensive outburst, Kim has six goals, nine assists and 15 points in 18 games this year.
3rd Star – Matthew Croxall (F) – Blackfalds Bulldogs
Croxall tied for the league lead in goals last week with five in two games.
In his third season in the league, the Chicago, Ill. product notched his first BCHL hat trick on Friday night, including the game-winning goal, in a 6-4 home win over the Trail Smoke Eaters. Croxall scored his fourth power play goal of the season and was named first star of the game. He kept it rolling on Sunday, adding two more markers in his team’s 6-2 road win over the Brooks Bandits.
After 17 games played this season, the 20-year-old forward has 12 goals, eight assists and 20 points, just four goals and nine points shy of his totals from all of last season.
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Honourable mentions:
Sherwood Park Crusaders F Dmitry Pavlov: 2GP – 4G – 1A – 5PTS
Nanaimo Clippers F Patrick Fortune: 2GP – 2G – 3A – 5PTS
Brooks Bandits F Makaio Van Tassel: 3GP – 2G – 4A – 6PTS
Powell River Kings F Tuukka Heiskanen: 3GP – 2G – 4A – 6PTS
Trail Smoke Eaters F Dysen Drake: 3GP – 5G – 5PTS
Nanaimo Clippers G Grayson Hanggi: 2GP – 2W – .943 SV% – 1.88 GAA
