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Ivan Barbashev buries his first QMJHL hat trick: Thursday’s 3 Stars

No. 1 star: Ivan Barbashev, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

Barbashev, who had a rare fight in his last game, used his hands for the purpose they were created for by scoring his first Quebec League hat trick during a 5-2 Wildcats road win over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. The Russian, who has kicked off his NHL draft season with 12 points in eight games, helped the 'Cats climb out of an early deficit with a goal in the first period. Barbashev (3G, +4) struck on the power play in the second period, then ultimately sealed the win with his hatty tally 6:31 into the third.

Moncton's Conor Garland (3A, +2), a 5-foot-7 sophomore from Massachusetts, and veteran Christophe Lalonde (1G-2A, +3) also had big nights feeding Barbashev. Overall, it was nice bounce-back win for Moncton following a loss last weekend to top-ranked Blainville-Boisbriand.

No. 2 star: Brendan Perlini, Niagara IceDogs (OHL)

Excuse the ego trip, but is it evident why some dim bulb featured the IceDogs left wing in the inaugural Draft Tracker of the new season? Perlini (1G-2A, +3) factored into the first three 'Dogs goals to spark them to their first W in five tries, 4-2 over the North Bay Battalion.

Perlini, who has nine points in five games, had the primary apples on markers by Luke Mercer and his centre, Toronto Maple Leafs third-rounder Carter Verhaeghe. The former Barrie Colts first-rounder then scored a power-play goal that stood up as the game-winner. At least one 17-year-old factored into all four Niagara goals, with Vince Dunn and Alex Protapovich each getting their first OHL points when they assisted on the clinching goal.

No. 3 star: Ben Johnson, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

The New Jersey Devils pick's hat trick paced the Spitfires to a 5-1 rivalry-game win over the Plymouth Whalers. Johnson (3G, +3) scored twice in the back half of the second period by getting into position to deflect point shots by Tampa Bay Lightning first-rounder Slater Koekkoek (2A, +3). The 19-year-old Michigander then competed his hatty with a short-handed goal with 6:22 left. Johnson, who's a superb two-way forward, also helped Windsor put the clamps on Plymouth's attack. The only Whalers goal, by Chicago Blackhawks first-rounder Ryan Hartman, came on a penalty shot.

It has still been a good week for the Whalers organization, since erstwhile Plymouth defenceman Connor Carrick scored a goal in his NHL debut for the Washington Capitals.

Honourable mention: Scott Laughton, Oshawa Generals (OHL)

Welcome back! Laughton (2G-2A, +1) responded exactly as the Philadelphia Flyers hoped he would in his first game since being returned to junior, helping marshal Oshawa's forces in a 7-1 pounding of the rival Peterborough Petes. Along with Laughton netting four points, 17-year-old Michael Dal Colle (3A, +1) and 18-year-olds Josh Sterk (2G-1A, -1) and Cole Cassels (1G-1A, +1) all had multi-point nights.

Sterk, who was caught in a numbers game with the Kitchener Rangers, now has a share of the league scoring lead with 11 points in five games.

Potent notables — Projected NHL first-round pick Jared McCann had a victory-sealing short-handed goal for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds against Ottawa. The Soo's first-rounder, Blake Speers, earned his first OHL assist ... In the QMJHL, Los Angeles Kings second-rounder Valentin Zykov was first star in Baie-Comeau's 3-2 win over Chicoutimi after assisting on the game-winner.

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet. Please address any questions, comments or concerns to btnblog@yahoo.ca.