Nathan Pancel notches 5-point night to lift Wolves over Sting: Saturday’s 3 stars

No. 1 star: Nathan Pancel, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

Pancel started and ended the game in the Wolves’ 6-3 win over the Sarnia Sting. Just 1:44 into the opening period, the 6-foot, 190-pound winger sniped one past Taylor Dupuis. With the game tied at one, he scored early in the middle frame before adding two assists in the period. He later ended the game’s scoring with his third of the night at the 13:25 mark in the final frame.

Pancel’s centre, Mathew Campagna, also had a five-point night. He racked up two goals and three helpers. But unfortunately for Campagna, a hat trick is flashier than three assists, so Pancel was given the edge.

No. 2 star: Oliver Cooper, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

Cooper was involved in all of the Sea Dogs’ four markers in their 4-2 victory over the Charlottetown Islanders that ended a nine-game winless streak. Down 1-0, the 6-foot-3, 203-pound winger scored an unassisted goal just over the halfway point in the middle frame. Following assisting a Mathew Highmore goal less than two minutes later, Cooper ended the period with a power-play marker. He went onto capture a hat trick with an empty net goal in the last minute of the third period.

Cooper’s three-goal night combined with the four goals he scored in his previous 18 games matches the seven goals he potted last year throughout 67 games.

Sebastien Auger stood on his head in the Sea Dogs’ blue paint, stopping 46 of 48 shots, including 22 of 23 in the final frame.

No. 3 star: Matt Revel, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

Even though three late third period goals lifted the Swift Current Broncos over the Blades 7-6, Revel’s natural hat trick sticks out as the contest’s best individual performance. The 5-foot-11, 177-pound centre kicked off the night by scoring on the power play with less than five minutes left in the opening period. He picked up right where he left off in the second, scoring two straight goals in just over six minutes.

Overager Collin Valcourt didn’t do too bad himself for the Blades, netting two goals and two assists.

New Jersey Devils prospect Graham Black (2G-2A, +4) and Connor Sanvido (2G-1A, +3) were vital to the Broncos capturing the win.

Honourable mention: Connor Brown, Erie Otters (OHL)

The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect remains on top of the OHL’s scoring race after scoring three goals against the Niagara IceDogs. In the 6-0 win, Brown scored the first two goals of the game in the first 10:02 into the match. He went onto to complete his hat trick by scoring on the man advantage late in the second period.

Otters blueliner Troy Donnay and 2015 draft sensation Connor McDavid netted two apples apiece.

Honourable mention: Jessey Astles, Tri-City Americans (WHL)

Astles had the game of his life in the Americans’ 8-1 shellacking over the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The 20-year-old winger, who earns his keep by dropping the gloves, notched two goals and two assists. The four-point night gives Astles six points in 17 games on the year.

Potent notables – Justin Hache notched three apples and Raphael Corriveau, Jullien Pelletier and William Carrier scored a goal and an assist apiece to lead the Cape Brenton Scream Eagles over the Acadie-Bathurst 6-2… Sherbrooke Phoenix’s Jean-Francois Laflamme potted a hat trick in his club’s 7-4 win over the Moncton Wildcats… Jerome Verrier scored two goals and two assists in the Drummondville Voltigeurs' 6-3 victory over the Gatineau Olympiques… Maxime St-Cyr notched a goal and three helpers in the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies’ 6-1 win over the Quebec Ramparts… Dalen Kuchmey posted a 16-save shutout in the Windsor Spitfires’ 6-0 win over the Owen Sound Attack… Dallas Stars prospect Remi Elie notched two goals and an assist as his Belleville Bulls edged the North Bay Battalion 4-3… Ryan Van Stralen (2G-2A, +1), Travis Konecny (3A, +1), Joseph Blandisi (2G-2A, +1) and Brett Gustavsen (2G-1A, +1) had big nights in the Ottawa 67’s 8-4 win over the Peterborough Petes… Jackson Whistle stopped 29 of 30 shots in the Kelowna Rockets’ 4-1 win over the Prince George Cougars... Winnipeg Jets prospect Nicolas Petan led the Portland Winterhawks over the Spokane Chiefs 3-1 with three apples.

Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen