The 3 stars were very difficult to whittle down this week, folks. Several people had star-worthy performances. I even had a very hard time deciding in which order to put the 3 people who made the cut. But here we go…..

3rd Star: Mary Pratt – Gut Rot

Mary had an intense last few weeks. She played the entire game with no subs the last 3 weeks in row, including playing the entire game SHORTHANDED last week in the insane heat/humidity. She was literally the ONLY Gut Rot girl last week, so she played the ENTIRE game, 4 on 5. (That is some hardcore shit.) She played the entire game again this week, yet this week there was a difference. This week, after many years in the league, she scored her first ever BTSH career goal!! But it wasn’t just any goal. It was the only Gut Rot goal in regulation. It was also the game-tying goal that carried her team into overtime. A game that they eventually won, in a shootout. Congrats on your first ever goal, and on your star, Iron Woman.

2nd star: Kevin Longwell – Dark Rainbows

Earlier in the season I saw some kid running around playing out for the Rainbows wearing an old school plastic Mylec goalie mask. I thought to myself “who is that maniac? that’s hilarious. and kind of awesome.” (actually I think I said that aloud, to whoever was watching the game with me). I guess the Rainbows figured if he is going to wear that goalie mask all the time (as far as I’m concerned he wears it at home on his couch while watching TV) we might as well put him in net. After losing their first 5 games in fantastic fashion, the Rainbows decided to make a goalie change. SINCE they made that goalie change/put Kevin in net they are 5-1 and have jumped up to 2nd place in their division. Coincidence? I think not. This kid is 5-1 in first 6 career starts, he has given up no more than 1 goal in each of those wins, AND he logged a shutout this week against a divisional rival. It’s always been my opinion that goalies don’t get enough love in this league, but that changes now. Congrats on the goose egg, Kevin, and keep up the good work.

It should be noted that the only other goalie to keep a clean sheet this week was Tim Brown. But that dude gets shutouts all the time. Log a shutout AND score an empty net goal from the other end of the rink and then we’ll talk about a star, Timmy.

1st star: Gil Valdes – Happy Little Elves

I wanted to give the 1st star to the rookie goalie on a hot streak. I really wanted to. But I just couldn’t do it. The score sheet wouldn’t allow me do it. Gil earned the 1st star this week. In his amazing performance against the Gremlins he scored a hat trick, which proved to be enough to single-handedly beat the Grems (Gil: 3, Gremlins: 2). Defying the laws of physics (and age) he weaved in and out of the Gremlins’ defense, creating chance after chance. If not for some heroics on Jamie’s part, Gil could have had 6 or 7. Not only did he score a hat trick this week, but he ALSO scored a hat trick last week, giving his team their much-needed first win of the season. That’s right folks, BACK-TO-BACK HAT TRICKS, 2 weeks in a row. Gil has an incredibly impressive 15 goals on the season, which is only 1 goal shy of leading the league. Congrats on a hard-fought 1st star, #88.