Sharks pick Dylan Sadowy scores hat trick for Saginaw: Thursday's OHL & QMJHL 3 Stars

No. 1 star: Dylan Sadowy, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Sadowy (3G, +3) came through with hat trick as the Spirit won 4-1 against the Plymouth Whalers to regain sole possession of the final Western Conference playoff spot and avenge a home-ice loss on Tuesday. The 18-year-old San Jose Sharks third-round pick struck for the game's first goal just past the 16-minute mark of the opening period, only to see the Whalers' Sonny Milano reply by scoring off the ensuing faceoff.

Saginaw was up just a goal near the midpoint of the third when Sadowy delivered the backbreaker off a setup from rookie defenceman Keaton Middleton. Just for good measure, the Brampton, Ont., native scored a solo short-handed goal to complete his second hat trick this season, both of which have come against the rival Whalers.

Sadowy has 39 goals with seven games left in Saginaw's season.

No. 2 star: Alexandre Fortin, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)

Fortin, who turned 18 last week, had his first five-point game as the young Huskies hit on all eight cylinders during a 9-1 blowout against the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. Fortin (2G-3A, +4) assisted on the icebreaker by Antoine Waked 8:50 into the game. in the second, the Laval, Que., native scored a power-play goal that reinstated a three-goal advantage, then assisted on two late-period goals that broke what remained of the Drakkar's will. Fortin picked up his fifth point by scoring 2:46 into the third.

No. 3 star: Vladimir Tkachev, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

The line of Tkachev (2G-2A, +4), captain Kurt Etchegary (4A, +4) and Arizona Coyotes prospect Anthony Duclair (2G, +4) counted 10 points during the Remparts' 9-3 road romp against the Victoriavilla Tigres. Tkachev copped first-star honours after scoring two goals in fewer than three minutes during the opening stanza. The diminutive 19-year-old Russian earned a power-play assist on a second-period goal from Jérome Verrier. Victoriaville made a run to get back within three goals in the third period, but Tkachev did the heavy lifting to set up a dagger goal from Duclair.

Honourable mention: Vince Dunn, Niagara IceDogs (OHL)

Dunn (2G-1A) had three power-play points in the second period as Niagara went out to big lead and beat the slumping Barrie Colts 6-5. The 18-year-old defenceman scored put the IceDogs up 3-2 with a rocket from the slot during a 5-on-3 power play that came about after Barrie's Brendan Lemieux receivved a slew-footing match penalty. Dunn assisted on another goal during the extended power play, then struck again later in the frame.

Josh Ho-Sang (3A) reached 200 lifetime OHL points for the IceDogs, who are 20-4-2-0 since Jan. 1.

Potent notables — Arizona Coyotes signing Michael Bunting (1G-2A, +2) scored the winning goal in Sault Ste. Marie's 10th consecutive win, 6-4 against Windsor. Tampa Bay Lightning first-rounder Anthony DeAngelo (2G-2A, +1) has 43 points in 21 games for the Greyhounds ... Michael Clarke (1G-1A, +1) helped Peterborough knock off London 3-1, as the Petes improved to 5-0 in home games with attendance of more than 3,000 ... Columbus Blue Jackets pick Nick Moutrey scored his 20th of the season in North Bay's home win against Belleville ... In the QMJHL, 17-year-old Anthony Beauvillier scored his 41st and 42nd during Shawinigan's road win against Chicoutimi.

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.