Goaltenders stole the spotlight on opening weekend in the B.C. Hockey League and Jordan Fairlie of the Prince George Spruce Kings served notice to the rest of the league he’s ready to take his place as one of the best at his craft.
The 20-year-old from Fort St. John stopped 50 of 52 shots in a pair of road victories over Coquitlam (3-0) and Langley (3-2) and was named the third star on the Napa Auto Parts 3 Stars of the Week list.
Heading into Friday’s home opener at Kopar Memorial Arena against the Vernon Vipers, Fairlie now sports a 1.00 goals-against average and .962 save percentage.
Spruce Kings centre John Herrington, who had three goals in the two games, was selected for honourable mention status.
The first-star-of-the-week nod went to Cowichan Valley Capitals goalie McCoy Bidewell, the busiest BCHL netminder of the weekend. The 20-year-old stopped 97 of 100 shots for a .970 save percentage and 1.53 GAA as the Caps split their first two games of the season, starting with a 2-1 loss to West Kelowna and ending with a 3-1 win over Alberni Valley.
Salmon Arm Silverbacks 20-year-old netminder Mathew Tovell earned second star recognition in back-to-back wins over the Vipers. He stopped all 36 shots in 3-0 win at home Friday, then made 22 saves to preserve a 3-1 victory Saturday in Vernon. He’ll take a .980 save percentage and 0.50 GAA into the second weekend.
