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Bartosak and Feser leave Oil Kings seeing Red as Rebels prevail: Friday’s 3 Stars

No. 1 stars: Patrik Bartosak and Scott Feser, Red Deer Rebels (WHL)

Clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the Rebels need every point they can get. Few expected them to get two points at Rexall Place on Friday night, but huge games by Bartosak and Feser led Red Deer to a 3-2 overtime win over the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Feser, an 18-year-old in his second season, scored all three goals for Red Deer, including the game-winner 1:59 into the extra period. It was the first WHL hat trick for Feser, who came into Friday with eight goals in 71 career games.

Meanwhile, Bartosak — the reigning CHL goalie of the year — owned his end of the ice, stopping 50 of 52 Oil Kings shots to earn his 26th victory of the season. While Bartosak hasn't quite dominated like he did in 2012-13, his .923 save percentage this season ranks third in the WHL.

The win not only gave the Rebels a much-needed boost in the standings, but also gave the team confidence for a possible first-round playoff matchup against the conference-leading Oil Kings.

No. 2 star: Brandon Hope, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

In the third period on Friday, the Attack were on the wrong end of one of the most lopsided shot totals you'll see in a game this season. It didn't matter, because Hope kept Owen Sound alive.

Hope stopped all 19 shots he faced in the third period, while the Attack's only shot of the frame — by Kyle Platzer — went in the net. It added up to a 4-0 road win for Owen Sound, with Hope making 41 saves for his second shutout of the season. The Attack had 19 shots through two periods in building a 3-0 lead, and made the most of their one third-period attempt on net.

Hope, a 19-year-old in his fourth OHL season, is one of the hottest players in the league right now, with a .973 save percentage in five February starts.

No. 3 star: Scott Laughton, Oshawa Generals (OHL)

The Canadian world junior captain registered his first hat trick since October, scoring three times and adding an assist in Oshawa's 6-0 drubbing of Ottawa. Laughton scored the first two goals for the Generals, then completed the hattie with a short-handed goal in the second period.

Oshawa bombarded the Ottawa net all night, outshooting the overmatched 67's 59-20. Ottawa goalie Philippe Trudeau handled himself well, stopping 53 shots in his third 50+ save performance this season.

Laughton has 33 goals and 72 points in 43 games, both career highs for the Philadelphia Flyers prospect.

Honourable mention: Quinn O'Brien, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)

O'Brien made the most of his 100th career QMJHL game Friday night, notching his first career hat trick in the Huskies' 7-3 win over Chicoutimi.

The second-year forward secured the first multi-goal game of his career by scoring with 1:43 left in regulation, then added an empty-netter in the final minute to cap his memorable night.

Honourable mention: Rourke Chartier, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

The Rockets have earned their spot atop the CHL rankings with a mix of scoring depth, outstanding defence and solid goaltending. They've also found ways to pull out last-minute victories like no other team in the WHL.

Chartier scored with 25.2 seconds left in regulation Friday, then added an empty-net goal 15 seconds later, as the Rockets rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat Prince George 4-2.

The Rockets have now won two straight games in the final half-minute, after Cole Linaker's goal with 27 seconds left beat Spokane on Wednesday. Kelowna is closing in on home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs, leading Portland by nine points in the standings with 14 games remaining.

Honourable mention: Taylor Leier, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

After Portland jumped out to a 4-0 lead Friday, the struggling Kamloops Blazers fought back to make things a little uncomfortable for the WHL's hottest team. Luckily for the Hawks, Leier was there to score two key goals as Portland held off the Blazers 7-4 for its 15th consecutive victory.

The Portland captain also added two assists in a four-point night, and he became the fifth Winterhawk to reach the 30-goal plateau this season.

Portland has equaled its franchise record for consecutive wins, previously set in 1979-80 and 1997-98. The Hawks will go for the record Saturday night in Vancouver against the Giants.