The North American 3 Hockey League (3HL) today announced the Three Stars of the Week presented by Combat Hockey for the week ending October 2, 2011. The Three Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2011-12 regular season that honors the top performing players each week of the regular season as nominated by their respective teams.
1st Star: Matt Stemkoski, forward, Metro Jets
Stemkoski, 18, had a 10-point weekend as the Metro Jets swept the Battle Creek Jr. Revolution in a pair of home games. Stemkoski, who is from Novi, Michigan, had a goal and three assists in Friday night’s 10-4 win. On Saturday, Stemkoski recorded an 3HL season-high six points in the Jets 9-1 win over Battle Creek. Stemkoski had two goals and assisted on four others as Metro kept pace in the East Division, just two points behind first place Cleveland. “Matt has really improved as a player this year,” said Metro head coach Jason Cirone. “He has improved his skill set and has adjusted to becoming a full-time forward. I think he realizes what it is going to take to get to the next levels of hockey.”
2nd Star: Patrick Gregory, forward, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Gregory, 20, recorded seven points (3g, 4a) in two games as the Jr. Blues swept a home series with the Minnesota Flying Aces this pas weekend and helped St. Louis maintain their standing atop the 3HL Central Division standings. On Friday night, Gregory, who is from St. Louis, almost single-handedly won the game for the Jr. Blues as he scored two goals in the 3rd period, including the game-winner, as assisted on another in the Jr. Blues 5-2 win. The next night, Gregory recorded a goal and three assists in a convincing 8-2 win. “Patrick has lived up to expectations so far, and has really provided us with a veteran presence that we are looking for out of him,” said Jr. Blues head coach JP Beilsten. “Best of all, he is playing at both ends of the rink, which is something we have really put an emphasis on.”
3rd Star: Shane Reese, forward, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks
Reese, 19, had a six-point weekend (3g, 3a) and helped lead 1st place Cleveland to a weekend home sweep over the Flint Jr. Generals. Reese’s six points have him 23 points for the season, as the Erie, Pennsylvania native continues to lead the entire 3HL in scoring. On Saturday, Reese recorded a goal and added two assists in the Jr. Jacks 6-2 win over Flint. On Sunday, Reese scored both 3rd period goals, including the game-winner in a much tighter contest as Cleveland held on for a 5-3 win. “We are very pleased about Shane’s play,” said Cleveland head coach Bob Jacobson. “He came back to camp in excellent shape and has really improved his speed and conditioning. It shows what a player can do if he puts in the work outside the rink. Hopefully this will lead to a good opportunity at a higher level of hockey in the future for Shane.”
Other players nominated were (alphabetical): Alex Berardinelli, forward, Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins – Warren Carter, forward, Flint Jr. Generals – Jared Fielden, forward, Quad City Jr. Flames – Nick Goettel, defenseman, Flint Jr. Generals – Skylar Harding, forward, North Iowa Bulls – Robert Hintz, forward, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Ryan Kelly, forward, Toledo Cherokee – Matt Leon, goaltender, Queen City Steam – Mike Mackinnon, forward, Metro Jets – Mike Meadows, goaltender, Quad City Jr. Flames – James Muncie, defenseman, Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins – Joe Olen, goaltender, Chicago Hitmen – Pat Smiatacz, forward, Toledo Cherokee.
