Week of Oct. 19, 2022
Pacific Division
Summaries by Grace Mello
Forward: Ethan McKibbin, Ontario Jr. Reign
It was a seven point weekend for the Pacific Division point leader, Ethan McKibbin (‘02/Chestermere, Alberta). He now sits at 26 points in 10 games with the Jr. Reign, putting him in a tie for third in points in the USPHL Premier. Following the weekend, McKibbin was +4 and put five assists and two goals under his belt.
Defense: Kelly Coldwater, Fresno Monsters
Kelly Coldwater (‘04/St.Louis, MO) joins the Monsters and the USPHL Premier this year after moving from the NA3HL last year. This weekend he helped Fresno go 2-1 over the Ontario Jr. Reign, giving them their first two losses of the season. Coldwater earned a third period power play game-winning goal in the Sunday afternoon 5-4 game.
Goalie: Bence Pal, Fresno Monsters
From Romania to Fresno, Bence Pal (‘05) has gone 2-1 in the net for the Monsters. He earned another win on Sunday with 28 saves on 32 shots.
Northwest Division
Summaries By Joshua Boyd
Forward: Roman Wolynec, Bellingham Blazers
Wolynec (‘05/Langley, B.C.) was massive for the Blazers this past Saturday, posting four goals and two assists in a close 7-6 loss to the Blazers. He was so impressive in the game that he received votes from multiple coaches in the division as Forward of the Week.
Defense: Nathan M’Lot, Rogue Valley Royals
M’Lot (‘05/Thompson, Man.) played a crucial role in helping the Royals win their first game – and adding a second win right away the next night – as Rogue Valley faced Bellingham. In the weekend pair of games, he had a goal and an assist, was a +5 and averaged 36:02 per game in ice time.
Goaltender: Austin Gilbert, Vernal Oilers
Two years a top goalie in the USPHL Elite, Gilbert (‘03/Dover, N.H.) performed outstanding in his first-ever USPHL Premier start for the Oilers on Oct. 15, in a win against Seattle. He stopped 49 of 52 shots to get that first Premier “W.”
Mountain Division
Summaries By Brendan Price
Forward: Jake Meure, Ogden Mustangs
How do you top your first career hat trick? With your first four-goal performance, naturally. The ‘02 Fremont, Calif., product had four goals, including the GWG, in Ogden’s 6-5 victory over Pueblo on Friday night. Meure finished the weekend with six goals and one assist; he’s scored goals in five straight and is tied for fifth in the USPHL in goals (10).
Defense: Magnus Einarson, Utah Outliers
Consistency was the case for Einarson last weekend, picking up an assist in each of his team’s three wins last weekend. When he’s on the ice, good things happen for Utah. Einarson (‘02/Winnipeg, Man.) product leads the team in +/- (+17), is 2nd in shot blocks (7) and now has a four-game point streak.
Goaltender: Bryson Stern, Provo Predators
Stern (‘03/Littleton, Colo.) started back-to-back games for the first time this year and rewarded his coach’s confidence. He finished the weekend 1-1-0, stopped 64 of 67 shots in two games, and pitched a 30-save shutout in Provo’s 3-0 win over Northern Colorado last Sunday. Stern has now allowed three goals or fewer in four of his first five appearances for the Predators and is 2-2-0 with a 2.90 GAA and .924 save percentage.
