Photo credit: Island Images
Prince George Spruce Kings forwards Ryan Wachtel, Carter Hesselgrave and Marcus Lougheed have been named the NAPA Auto Parts 3 Stars of the Week.
1st Star – Ryan Wachtel (F) – Prince George Spruce Kings
Wachtel tied for the league lead in points last week with five in three games, also tying for the most goals with three.
The Princeton University commit scored his first goal of the playoffs last Tuesday night in Game 7 of Prince George’s first round series against the Langley Rivermen. The goal broke a third period tie and turned out to be the game winner as the Spruce Kings advanced to the second round. After picking up an assist in Game 1 of his team’s series opener against the Chilliwack Chiefs, Wachtel had two goals and a helper, and was named first star of the game, in a 7-2 victory in Game 2 to take a 2-0 series advantage.
The 2006-born forward has eight points in nine playoff games, just one off the team lead.
2nd Star – Carter Hesselgrave (F) – Prince George Spruce Kings
Hesselgrave also tied for the lead in points last week with five in three games on two goals and three assists.
The Quesnel, B.C. product earned an assist in last Tuesday’s Game 7 win over the Langley Rivermen, before registering a goal and a helper in each of his team’s first two second round games against the Chilliwack Chiefs. After going down 2-0 in Game 1, Hesselgrave started the Spruce Kings comeback with a second period goal, then assisted on the tying goal, both coming on the power play, in a 3-2 win. His goal in Game 2 on Saturday was also with the man advantage and held as the game winner in a 7-2 win.
Hesselgrave is tied for fourth in playoff scoring with nine points in nine games.
3rd Star – Marcus Lougheed (F) – Prince George Spruce Kings
Lougheed tied with his two Spruce Kings teammates with five points last week, also leading the league in assists with four.
The 21-year-old scored the insurance marker in Game 7 last Tuesday to wrap up Prince George’s first round series with the Langley Rivermen, his second of the playoffs. In Round 2, Lougheed chipped in with a power-play helper in the series opener, then registered a playoff best three points, all coming via assists, in his team’s Game 2 victory.
The first-year Spruce King is also tied for fourth in playoff scoring with nine points in nine games.
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Honourable mentions:
Prince George Spruce Kings G Colin Reay: 2GP – 2W – .944 SV% – 1.50 GAA
Salmon Arm Silverbacks G Daniel Dirracolo: 2GP – 2W – .938 SV% – 1.33 GAA
Brooks Bandits D Dante Siciliano: 2GP – 2G – 1A – 3PTS
Nanaimo Clippers F Samuel Boisvert: 2GP – 2G – 1A – 3PTS
Salmon Arm Silverbacks F Keifer Miller: 2GP – 2G – 1A – 3PTS
