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London Knights’ Mitchell Marner leads OHL’s hat-trick frenzy: Sunday’s 3 Stars

Kelly Friesen
London's Mitchell Marner has five goals in his first two playoff games. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
London's Mitchell Marner has five goals in his first two playoff games. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

No. 1 Star: Mitchell Marner, London Knights (OHL)

Marner (3G-1A, +3) has picked up in the post-season right where he left off in the regular-season. He has not only led the Knights to a 2-0 series lead over the Kitchener Rangers, but has also outscored his entire opposition with five markers. His latest performance lifted London to a commanding 6-2 victory.

The Thornhill, Ont., native scored the first goal of the contest just 1:30 into it and followed it up by helping set up a Josh Sterk (1G-1A, +2) marker. He snapped a one-timer from Arizona Coyotes pick Max Domi (1G-2A, +2) in the middle frame on the power play to give his club a commanding four-goal lead. He completed his hat trick in the third when he forced a turnover on the penalty kill and fired a rocket past Carty Dawson, who took over for Jake Paterson in the second.

It was the first time Marner had hats fly in the second season, but fifth occasion on the year. Expect a couple more in his playoff if history repeats itself as his first four three-goal nights took place in a nine-game span in November.

Albeit usually a six-goal effort ensures a win, Tyler Parsons’ strong effort in the blue paint played a major role in game's outcome. He turned away 41 shots, including 17 in the final 20 minutes of play.

No. 2 Star: Jake Marchment, Erie Otters (OHL)

The 19-year-old centre had the period of his life in a huge playoff win for the Otters. He lit the lamp three times in the middle frame to give Erie a 2-1 series lead on the Sarnia Sting.

In the 6-5 victory, Marchment sniped his first of the night 2:25 into the second. He went on to find the back of the net twice, the second coming on the penalty kill, in just under a minute later on in the period to put the Otters up by three.

This game will undoubtedly be one to remember for the Los Angeles Kings prospect. He went into the contest without an OHL post-season goal and it was his first hat trick of his junior career.

Dylan Strome (2G, -1) and Connor McDavid (1G-1A, +1) combined for Erie’s other three markers.

No. 3 Star: Tyler Bertuzzi, Guelph Storm (OHL)

The Detroit Red Wings draft pick stepped up in a crucial Game 2 win over the Owen Sound Attack. His three markers led the Storm to a 6-5 overtime victory, which evens the series up at one.

Bertuzzi put away his first goal on the man advantage in the latter half of the opening frame. After notching his second 1:10 into the third, he completed his hat trick on the power play just over four minutes later.

The 6-foot, 190-pound wing was easily Guelph’s top player, but Chris Marchese netted the game’s most important goal. He snuck one past Jack Flinn 2:47 into extra time to seal the win.

Honourable mention: Jordan Papirny, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

The Edmonton, Alta., native was on his A-game in his hometown in Game 3 of Brandon’s series against the Oil Kings. He made 41 saves, including 16 crucial ones in the third period, as the Wheaties took the match 3-2. The win gives Manitoba’s lone WHL club a 2-1 series lead on the 2014 Memorial Cup champions.

Honourable mention: Nicolas Roy, Chicoutimi Sagueneens, (QMJHL)

Roy was in on all three of the Sagueneens’ goals in their 3-2 triumph over the Moncton Wildcats. He scored the match’s first marker 5:49 into it on the man advantage before setting up Laurent Dauphin’s (1G-1A, +1) power-play goal in the second. He went on to net the would-be game-winner near the halfway point in the contest. The win ties the series up at one.

Potent notables – Ken Appleby turned aside 27 pucks as the Oshawa Generals defeated the Peterborough Petes 2-1… North Bay Battalion’s Mike Amadio (2G-1A, +1) lifted his club to a 3-2 win over the Kingston Frontenacs… Portland Winterhawks netminder Adin Hill posted a 21-save shutout in a 3-0 victory against the Seattle Thunderbirds… Pavel Karnaukhov (2G-1A) was crucial in helping the Calgary Hitmen knock off the Kootenay Ice 3-2 in overtime… Medicine Hat Tigers goalie Marek Langhamer stopped all 26 pucks that came his way in a 1-0 win over the Red Deer Rebels.

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