Duffy, Sanche and Bibeau named the TELUS three stars of the week

Press Release

Ben Duffy, Philippe Sanche and Antoine Bibeau were named today the TELUS three stars of the week for the period extending from March 11th to 17th, 2013.

The 20 year-old veteran of the PEI Rocket, Ben Duffy, ended his 2012-2013 season in a remarkable fashion by earning the TELUS first star. Duffy collected four goals, five assists while maintaining a +7 differential in three games. He excelled last Tuesday when the Wildcats were the visitors by registering  two goals and assisting on another to help the Rocket edge the Wildcats 4-0. Duffy was awarded the second star of the game. The Rocket played the same trick on Moncton three days later when Gordie Dwyer's troops won the second duel 3-2. Ben Duffy scored a goal in the victory. It's finally on Sunday afternoon, during his last QMJHL regular season game, that Duffy offered his best performance. Duffy led the Rocket with a stunning performance, recording a goal and four assists. He earned the first star of the night in an offensive festival won 8-5 by the Rocket over the Sea Dogs. It was his second 5-point game of the season. This performance gave enabled him to win the QMJHL scoring championship with 110 points, five points ahead of Jonathan Drouin, his closest pursuer. The Rocket make their playoffs debut on Friday as they host the Val-d'Or Foreurs.

The TELUS second star goes to the Armada's impressive rookie, Philippe Sanche. In three road games, he registered 7 points while maintaining a +2 differential. He was awarded the second star of the game while the Armada was visiting the Cataractes at the Bionest Center on Tuesday night. His four assists helped Blainville-Boisbriand defeat the Cataractes 5-2. Sanche was stellar once on Friday registering two assists in a 3-1 victory over Val-d'Or. Finally, he scored the lone goal in a 4-1 loss at the hands of the Huskies. The Armada begin the playoffs on Thursday as they host the Titan. Philippe Sanche finished the season sixth among rookie scorers, collecting 53 points in 62 games.

PEI Rocket netminder Antoine Bibeau earns the TELUS third star. It was a great week for Bibeau as he posted three wins, including a shutout, while maintaining a goals-against-average of 2.33 and a save percentage of .932. On Tuesday, Bibeau earned the first star of the game in a victory over the Moncton Wildcats by a score of 4-0. His 33 saves earned him the fifth shutout of the season - most among QMJHL goaltender this year. He also became the first Rocket goaltender since the team has been in Prince Edouard Island, to register five shutouts in one season. He earned first star honours once again in the Rocket's second duel against the Wildcats with a 28-save performance. His stellar play helped the Rocket edge the Wildcats 3-2. Finally, Bibeau stoped 35 shots to lead his team to a convincing 8-5 win over the Saint John Sea Dogs in the regular season finale. Antoine Bibeau and the Rocket will face-off against the Val-d'Or Foreurs in the first round of the playoffs.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)