USPHL Premier Players Of The Month – January 2023: Pacific Division

Summaries by Grace Mello 

 

Forwards

Noak Persson, Fresno Monsters

Scoring points in eight of his nine games in January, Noak Persson (‘03/Sollefteå, SWE) propelled the Monster’s offense. Not only is he second in points for Fresno with 58, but he led the Pacific Division in scoring this month. Persson recorded 21 points in January with seven goals and 14 assists including three power play goals helping Fresno earn wins over Las Vegas and Long Beach as well as securing a playoff position.

Michal Novak, San Diego Sabers

Top scorer for the Sabers, Michal Novak (‘03/Czechia) had quite the month to kick off the year. Scoring 2.5 points per game, he led the Pacific Division in points per game and finished January with 20 points (six goals, 14 assists). Novak currently has 59 points and has helped his team secure a playoff position as well as hold the second place position in the division.

Matteo Pero, Ontario Jr. Reign
Earning 11 points in January with seven goals and four assists, Matteo Pero (‘04/Port Moody, B.C.) scored in all five games played. He also recorded a hat trick and a power-play goal in Ontario’s wins over Bakersfield. Pero currently has 35 points with 15 goals and 20 assists. He also helped the Jr Reign secure their playoff position.

 

Defense

Lucas Lundy, San Diego Sabers

The Sabers had quite the month to start 2023 and this defenseman was a key part of their success. Lucas Lundy (‘02/Delta, BC) earned 10 points with seven goals and three assists including a game-winning PP goal as well as a short handed goal. Going +6 for the month,  he recorded seven blocked shots. Lundy is currently third in points for the Sabers with 43.

 

Beau Kennedy, Las Vegas Thunderbirds

Helping his team earn wins over Fresno and Lake Tahoe in January, Beau Kennedy (‘02/Prior Lake, Minn.) finishes the month as a +8 with 10 blocked shots. Offensively he was able to pick up eight points with one goal and seven assists. Kennedy earned the GWG in a big win over the Fresno Monsters and currently has 23 points with five goals and 18 assists.

 

Goalie

Blake Micucci, San Diego Sabers

Joining the Sabers in the New Year, Blake Micucci (‘04/Hamburg, NY) earned wins in all four games played in January. He picked up 124 saves on 129 shots for a .916 save percentage. Playing 224 minutes he earned wins over Long Beach, Bakersfield, and Lake Tahoe.