USPHL Premier Players Of The Week: West Region

Week of Nov. 15-22

Pacific Division 

(Summaries by Joshua Boyd and Grace Mello)

Forward: Ari Rossi, Lake Tahoe Lakers

Rossi (‘02/Santa Rosa, Calif.) has come back with a vengeance, posting 26 points in 21 games of this, his second season in Lake Tahoe. He posted a goal and seven assists in the Lakers’ three-game weekend series against the Long Beach Shredders, which improved his career total to 67 assists and 93 points in 61 career games. 

Defense: Drew Mazza, Long Beach Shredders

The ‘03 out of Mission Viejo, Calif., and former Saddleback United High School player continues to improve, after posting a 1-2-3 line in the Shredders’ three victories against Lake Tahoe. He has scored all 11 of his points this season over his last 13 games back to the start of October, after utilizing his first eight games before that to adjust to the USPHL Premier. He also had five blocked shots against the Lakers. 

Goaltender: Bence Pal, Fresno Monsters

Back-to-back wins for this Fresno goalie. Pal (‘05/Romania) grabbed two of the Monsters three wins over San Diego this weekend. Friday night he finished with a 21 save, #ShutoutShoutout for their 7-0 win and Saturday night he finished with 30 saves on 32 shots for the Monster’s 3-2 win over the Sabers. His current save percentage is 0.925.

Mountain Division

(Summaries By Brendan Price) 

Forward: Javen Heidergott, Northern Colorado Eagles

The ‘02 Telluride, Colo., product stepped up in the scoring column, pacing the Eagles with six points (2-4-6) in three games against Ogden last weekend. With the six points, Heidergott improves to 20 points (6-14-20) in 20 games and is on pace to set a career-high in points. When Heidergott finds the scoresheet, the Eagles find the win column; NoCo is 8-1-1 in games that Heidergott records at least a point.

Defense: Nate Jaramillo, Northern Colorado Eagles

Earlier in the season, Jaramillo moved back to a brand-new position to help ease the burden of the injury bug for the Eagles. His game hasn’t looked back on either side of the puck; the ‘04 Broomfield, Colo., product had four points (0-4-4) in three games vs. Ogden last weekend, improving to 7 points (1-6-7) on the year. He also played another perfect 68 minutes without taking a penalty too; he’s played 185 minutes as a defenseman and is yet to commit a penalty. 

Goaltender: Landon Palmer, Provo Predators 

Palmer (‘03/Sandy, Utah) collected his first career win in memorable fashion on Sunday afternoon, notching 28 of 31 saves and stopping four of six chances in the shootout, to get the Predators the come-from-behind win over Idaho Falls. Palmer has improved his save percentage in each of his last three starts and has forced himself into the Provo goaltending rotation. Palmer has a 1-3-0 record with a 4.67 GAA in his rookie campaign.

Northwest Division

(Summaries By Jonathan West)

Forward: Marco Casinelli, Vernal Oilers 

An ’05 from the Italian Alps, Marco notched four points on Friday (2-2-4) and three on Sunday (1-2-3) versus Rock Springs. The left winger has been instrumental to the No. 1 Oilers success and undefeated record so far this season.

Defense: Joni Torola, Seattle Totems 

After being sidelined by injury during most of October, the Totes captain has been on a five-game points streak since returning. The ’02 blueliner from Finland had four points (2-2-4) in the Rogue Valley series, assisting on the Saturday night game-winning goal.

Goaltender: Austin Gilbert, Vernal Oilers 

The ’02 netminder from New Hampshire has been in a backup role for the top-ranked Oilers this year. On Sunday, he earned his third win in four starts, collecting 27 saves and one goal against Rock Springs.