3 Stars For Week Ending December 18, 2011

Here are your draft eligible 3 stars for the week ending December 18, 2011

1st Star - Chris Marchese - Windsor Spitfires : When Marchese was traded to the Spitfires early last week, we said in this blog that you could expect his point totals to increase and that he would be worth keeping an eye on. Well, those that vote did and Marchese came through. In 2 games for the Spitfires, Marchese notched 3 goals and 2 assists. The spitfires lost both games, the first 6-4 to Owen Sound where he notched a goal and added 2 assists, the other a 5-4 loss to Saginaw in which he scored twice. As we said before, he'll be worth keeping an eye on.

2nd Star - Gemel Smith - Owen Sound Attack : It isn't unfamiliar territory for Smith to be named one of our 3 stars. He's become an offensive weapon for the Attack and last week he provided 2 goals and 2 assists in 3 games. He opened the week with a goal and an assist and a plus 4 in a 6-4 win over Windsor. He followed that up with the same tallies in a 3-1 loss to Sarnia. He went pointless in a 3-1 win over Kitchener but created numerous opportunities.

3rd Star - Matt Murray - Soo Greyhounds : Murray may come as a little bit of a surprise here, but you have to have had seen him play. The Soo started the week with a 3-1 win over Saginaw in which Murray stopped 33 of 34 shots. That was followed by a 3-2 Shoot out loss to Kitchener where he was absolutely spectacular stopping 46 of 48 shots to give the Greyhounds even a chance. The surprise of putting him here is they closed out the week with a 7-3 loss to Guelph. But through 2 periods he stopped 24 of 27 shots and was down 3-2 and again gave the Soo every chance. But penalty trouble in the 3rd was just too much and the Storm blew the game wide open, not to mention the last goal came with 3 seconds left.

Once again, to view previous week winners and a list of voters, click the 3 stars tab at the top of the page.

Chris Marchese

Chris Marchese - Windsor Spitfires

6' 0" - 210 LBS
D.O.B. February 23, 1994

The Windsor Spitfires acquired Chris Marchese earlier in the week from the Erie Otters. He was a first round selection in the 2010 OHL Priority Draft for the Otters - 11 th overall.

He already has good bulk at 210 pounds on his 6 foot frame. He`s a power forward who is quick on his skates and has a scoring touch. He is deceptive and very adept at finding the open areas where teammates can set him up. He posseses good hands with a good scoring touch.

Marchese is in his second OHL season. During his rookie season with the Otters, Marchese 3 goals and 7 assists in 40 games. He played for Team Ontario at the World Under 17 Championship winning a gold medal. He played in 5 games at the WU17 scoring twice and adding 3 assists. Prior to being drafted by the Otters, Marchese for the Toronto Marlboros Midget AAA of the GTHL. In 72 games he had 39 goals and 56 assists.

The points did not come as easily for Marchese in Erie, but with a better opportunity in Windsor, he may be worth keeping an eye on. I expect we`ll see a rise.