Week of Oct. 19-25
Great Lakes Division
(Summaries by Lexi Obrycki)
Forward: Jason Crossland, Toledo Cherokee
Crossland, a second year forward in the USPHL, this weekend showed why he is one of those forwards everyone loves to have on their team. In Toledo’s home and home series against the Columbus Mavericks, Crossland (‘02/Dearborn, Mich.) put up 3 goals and 3 assists helping his team get the weekend sweep.
Defense: Ryan Stanley, Toledo Cherokee
A big weekend for Ryan Stanley. Not only did the ‘02 from Trenton, Mich., get three goals himself, he also added two assists over the weekend. Stanley is a second-year player for the Cherokee. He is currently leading the Toledo defensemen in goals with three in the eight games that the team has played so far.
Goaltender: Dylan Eliason, Metro Jets
Eliason (‘04/Northville, Mich.) is a first-year goalie for the Jets and this past weekend he showed what he can do for the team between the pipes. He had 27 saves, stopping every shot in the Jets’ win over the Battle Creek Kernels. The win this weekend was not only a big one for the Jets, but it helped Eliason register his first junior hockey shutout.
Midwest East Division
(Summaries by Miles Regan)
Forward: Walker Smith, Decatur Blaze
The veteran Smith (‘02) has been the brightest and most powerful flame on his Blaze team thus far this season. The Castle Rock, Colo., product came alive last weekend, scoring six goals and adding two assists over the course of three games. He was especially productive during Decatur’s 6-5 shootout loss to Fort Wayne; Smith contributed on all five Decatur scoring plays with four goals and an assist. He leads the Midwest East in goals scored with 10.
Defense: Andreas Zorn, Chicago Cougars
The ‘02 Chicago native has been stellar in his second season on his hometown team. The Cougars got a pair of wins over the Chicago Crush over the weekend, and Zorn’s three assists in Saturday’s matinee were a big part of that. He has totaled 13 helpers on the season, most by any skater in the division. He also has three multi-assist games in just eight tries.
Goaltender: Sebastian Wigfield, Chicago Cougars
Wigfield got the #ShutoutShoutout in Chicago’s victory against the Crush Saturday. He then followed up the 16-stop performance by saving 18 of 19 Decatur attempts in another Cougar win on Sunday. The former St. Ignatius College Prep (Ill.) netminder leads the division in goaltender wins with four. His .938 save percentage and 121 saves through FIVE games are also noteworthy stats for the first-year USPHL player.
Midwest West Division
(Summaries by Jim den Hollander)
Forward: Daniel Ellingson, Minnesota Squatch
Ellingson (‘03/Osseo, Minn.) may have put up the quietest 30 points in the league this season. Following out of a five-goal and nine-point weekend on home ice against the Dells Ducks, Ellingson has collected a dozen goals and 30 points in nine regular season contests. Those numbers are good enough for second overall in Premier League scoring, behind only his teammate Jake McAlpine. His 18 assists are also third best in the league.
Defense: Logan Lake, Minnesota Moose
Lake (‘02/Port Huron, Mich.) played a part in a two-win, 16-goal road weelemd weekend for the Moose. After collecting an assist in a 5-2 win against the Minnesota Mullets Friday, Lake stepped up with another four helpers on Saturday against the Steele County Blades. He of course did his job in his own end, limiting the two home teams to five goals.
Goaltender: Eli Marchese, Minnesota Blue Ox
Marchese (‘03/Waterloo, Iowa) kicked out but one of 35 shots faced to lead the Blue Ox who become the first team to knock off the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings this season. The win was the second of the season for the goaltender who has appeared in four games but this one was easily his best so far. The win was also a momentum builder, coming on the heels of a two-loss weekend.
