Sudbury's Muzyka, Elliot Lake's Simpson & Palushaj named NOJHL 3 Stars of the week

Press Release

SUDBURY – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey announced Monday that goaltender Michael Muzyka of the Sudbury Nickel Barons along with Elliot Lake Bobcats defenceman Ned Simpson and forward Andrew Palushaj  have garnered “3 Stars” of the week laurels for their efforts on the ice this past week.

MICHAEL MUZYKA, (G) SUDBURY NICKEL BARONS – In two starts Muzyka backstopped the Nickel Barons to their first multi-win week of the 2013-14 campaign.

The 17-year-old Sudbury Wolves draft choice began his award-winning effort by making 30 stops in a 4-3 overtime victory over North Bay this past Wednesday.

Saturday night he made another 39 saves backstopping his club to a 3-1 road victory at Blind River.

His efforts allowed him to wrap-up the week with a respectible1.94 goals-against average and a stellar .942 save percentage.

NED SIMPSON, (D) ELLIOT LAKE BOBCATS – While helping anchor the Bobcats defensive corps, Simpson also bolstered Elliot Lake’s offensive cause as well by accumulating four points in a pair of home ice victories while doubling up his overall season totals in the process.

Entering play last week with three points in his first 10 games this season, Simpson matched that number by blasting home a pair of power play tallies and picking up an even strength assist in a 6-2 win Friday over North Bay at Centennial Arena.

The next night the 18-year-old, who hails from Kitchener, Ont., added another helper aiding in his club’s 4-3 victory over Abitibi.

ANDREW PALUSHAJ (F) ELLIOT LAKE BOBCATS – Palushaj too made his mark in the Bobcats two triumphs last week.

In the Friday evening victory over the Trappers he had a goal and set-up two others, including assisting on the game-winner, for the three-point night.

On Saturday the Livonia, Mich., product, who turns 20 next month, got Elliot Lake going by notching the game’s opening goal in his club’s win over Abitibi.

His 11 markers on the season are the second most on his team, which is the 11th highest total in the league so far this season.

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