Photo credits: Chris Fowler Photography (Pulver), Island Images (Ingemann, Sharma)
Salmon Arm Silverbacks goaltender Eli Pulver, Penticton Vees goaltender Will Ingemann and Surrey Eagles goaltender Jaiden Sharma have been named the NAPA Auto Parts 3 Stars of the Week.
1st Star – Eli Pulver (G) – Salmon Arm Silverbacks
Pulver posted a league-best .972 save percentage last week, winning all three of his starts and stopping 104 of the 107 shots he faced to lead Salmon Arm to a series win over the West Kelowna Warriors.
In Game 3 last Tuesday night, Pulver faced a playoff-high 43 shots, but only allowed one goal, in a 2-1 home victory and was named first star of the game. The 43 shots tied for the most he has faced all season long.
The following night, the 21-year-old was perfect in Game 4, stopping all 27 shots he faced to earn his second postseason shutout in a 3-0 Salmon Arm win. He was named first star once again.
In Game 5 on Friday, Pulver stopped 35 of 37 shots, including 19 in the first period alone, guiding the Silverbacks to a 6-2 victory and a series win to make their second straight appearance in the Interior Conference Finals.
The Minnesota State University commit now has a playoff save percentage of .939 and a goals-against average of 1.90, which both rank fifth among BCHL goalies, while his two shutouts are tied for most in the 2024 postseason.
2nd Star – Will Ingemann (G) – Penticton Vees
Ingemann started two games for Penticton last week, winning both contests and posting a .966 save percentage and a 0.50 goals-against average.
In Game 3 on Tuesday night, the 2005-born netminder earned his second shutout of the playoffs, stopping all 14 shots he faced, in a 4-0 road victory over the Vernon Vipers.
After getting a night off on Wednesday, Ingemann was back between the pipes for Game 5 in Penticton. The 19-year-old swatted aside 14 of the 15 shots he faced to allow the Vees to tie the game late and win it in the first minute of overtime, clinching the series victory and advancing to the Interior Conference Finals for the third consecutive season.
Ingemann’s 1.09 goals-against average leads the BCHL Playoffs, while his .943 save percentage is second best.
3rd Star – Jaiden Sharma (G) – Surrey Eagles
Sharma won both of his starts last week, stopping 70 of 73 shots for a .959 save percentage and a 1.50 goals-against average.
The Vancouver, B.C. product earned his first career BCHL shutout in Game 4 last Tuesday night, stopping all 31 shots he faced in a 3-0 road victory over the Victoria Grizzlies.
In Game 6 on Saturday, back in Victoria, Sharma made 39 saves in the Eagles 7-3 win to finish off the series and move on to the Coastal Conference Finals.
While splitting goaltending duties with Ajeet Gundarah throughout the playoffs, Sharma has posted a league-best .960 save percentage in six playoff appearances, while his 1.31 goals-against average is second best.
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Honourable mentions:
Surrey Eagles F Micah Berger: 4GP – 2G – 4A – 6PTS
Alberni Valley Bulldogs G Callum Tung: 2GP – 2W – .958 SV% – 1.50 GAA
Alberni Valley Bulldogs F Nicholas Beneteau: 2GP – 4A – 4PTS
Salmon Arm Silverbacks F Jonah Aegerter: 3GP – 1G – 4A – 5PTS
Salmon Arm Silverbacks F Casy Laylin: 2GP – 2G – 2A – 4PTS
