Photo credits: Garrett James Photography
Langley Rivermen goalie Ajeet Gundarah, Victoria Grizzlies defenceman Clark Hiebert and Penticton Vees forward Brett Moravec have been named the BCHL 3 Stars of the Week.
1st Star – Ajeet Gundarah (G) – Langley Rivermen
Gundarah continued his strong play through the first month of the season by posting a .973 save percentage and a 1.00 goals-against average in a pair of wins, including his first career BCHL shutout.
On Friday, the 18-year-old from Richmond, B.C. stopped 40 of 42 shots, including 17 in the third-period alone as he halted the comeback efforts of the Chilliwack Chiefs to earn a 5-2 win and the second star of the game. On Sunday, Gundarah was unbeatable as he made 32 saves en route to his first shutout in the league in a 5-0 triumph over the Coquitlam Express where he was named the game’s first star.
He stopped 72 of the 74 shots he faced last week.
After one month of play, he has a 4-1-0 record and a .932 save percentage, which is second in the BCHL among goalies with more than two appearances. The Rivermen currently sit in first place in the Coastal Conference with a .750 win percentage.
2nd Star – Clark Hiebert (D) – Victoria Grizzlies
Hiebert was the top scoring defenceman last week and tied for the highest point total overall with seven in three games.
On Thursday, the Oakville, Ont. native had a four-point night with a goal and three assists to lead the Grizzlies to a 6-5 overtime win over the Vernon Vipers. Hiebert scored on the power play in the first period and all three of his assists also came with the man advantage, including on the game-winning goal in extra time. He was named first star of the game.
He was back on the scoresheet on Saturday with an assist in his team’s 7-4 loss to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks and then finished out the week with a goal and an assist in the Grizzlies 5-2 victory over the Merritt Centennials.
Six of his seven points last week came on the power play, which gives him seven on the season, tied for second most among all BCHL players. Hiebert currently leads all defencemen in the league in scoring with 13 points and his four goals are also tops among blueliners.
3rd Star – Brett Moravec (F) – Penticton Vees
Moravec had points in one of his three games played last week, but what a game that was. After going without a point in a pair of games against the Prince George Spruce Kings on Wednesday and Friday, Moravec exploded for seven points in Saturday’s 15-1 Vees win over the Powell River Kings.
The 18-year-old Wisconsin commit had four assists in the first period alone as his team jumped out to a 5-0 lead after 20 minutes. He was far from done though, as he added another goal and two assists in the third period to finish the night with a goal and six helpers to notch the highest point total in a game so far this season. His seven-point night earned him the first star of the game.
Moravec came into Saturday’s contest with one assist, but saw his point total jump up to eight after his efforts last week. He now sits fifth in team scoring and his seven assists put him in a tie for 13th most in the BCHL.
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Honourable mentions:
Victoria Grizzlies F Ellis Rickwood: 3GP – 2G – 5A – 7PTS
Penticton Vees F Bradley Nadeau: 3GP – 4G – 1A – 5PTS
Prince George Spruce Kings F John Herrington: 3GP – 2G – 4A – 6PTS
Salmon Arm Silverbacks D Lucas Matta: 2GP – 1G – 4A – 5PTS
Cowichan Valley Capitals G Matthew Hutchison: 1GP – 1W – .962 SV% – 2.00 GAA
