Mathew Barzal’s 2-goal night lifts Thunderbirds over Winterhawks: Saturday’s 3 Stars

No. 1 Star: Mathew Barzal, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

The Thunderbirds needed their top guns to step up against the high-powered Portland Winterhawks to steal Game 1 on the road. Fortunately for them, Barzal, along with Ryan Gropp (2A, +1), answered the bell in the 4-3 affair.

The Coquitlam, B.C., native came up big in crucial points in the game. He gave his club a confidence boost just 1:01 into it when he snuck one in between the legs of Adin Hill after catching a pass from Gropp. He went on to score the game-winner late in the third period by tapping in another pass from Gropp with his forehand.

It goes without saying that Barzal’s two-goal effort is a great start to his playoff. A strong showing in the second season should cement the 6-foot, 177-pound centre as a top 10 prospect in the 2015 NHL draft class.

Seattle’s back end and goaltender Taran Kozun, who stopped 34 pucks, deserve honourable mentions for keeping Columbus Blue Jackets third-rounder Oliver Bjorkstrand from finding the back of the net against them for the first time this year.

No. 2 Star: Callum Booth, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

With Montreal Canadiens second-rounder Zachary Fucale sitting on the bench, the pressure is on Booth to play well against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles to keep the starting job. His leash became a little shorter after letting in three goals on 23 shots in a 3-2 loss in the first game of the series. But in Game 2, the 17-year-old sophomore did all he could to stay in Quebec’s blue paint.

In the 2-0 win, Booth turned aside all 31 shots that came his way, including five from Eagles captain Clark Bishop. It was his first playoff shutout and fourth of his QMJHL career.

The effort, along with Remparts coach Phillippe Boucher’s confidence in him, bolds well for the 6-foot-3, 196-pounder’s status in the 2015 draft. He is expected to be one of the first netminders selected in Florida.

No. 3 Star: Cameron Darcy, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)

After falling 8-2 in Game 1, Darcy led the Phoenix over the Charlottetown Islanders the second time around in a decisive 7-3 win. He lit the lamp in every period for a hat trick and notched two primary helpers.

The Tampa Bay Lightning draft choice scored the first goal of the game just 5:46 into it and set up Canadiens pick Daniel Audette (2G-1A, +3) later on in the frame. He sniped his second on the power play and completed his hat trick just over four minutes into the third. His final point came from helping set up David Storto’s empty-net goal.

Honourable mention: Jackson Whistle, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

The West Kelowna, B.C., native posted his second shutout in as many games in a 3-0 win over the Tri-City Americans. He turned away 30 shots, including 24 in the final 40 minutes, to give the Rockets a 2-0 series lead.

Just as impressive as Whistle was Eric Comrie at the other end of the ice. The Winnipeg Jets prospect kept his club in the game by stopping 42 of 44 pucks against an elite offense that includes Edmonton Oilers top pick Leon Draisaitl (1G-1A, +2), San Jose Sharks draft choice Rourke Chariter and NHL draft prospect Nick Merkely.

Honourable mention: Nevin Guy, Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

The 19-year-old blueliner (1G-4A, +3) had the offensive period of his life in a commanding 8-2 victory over the Niagara IceDogs. It was the first time he posted a five-point night since a regular-season game against the Belleville Bulls on Nov. 19 2013. He was in on four consecutive goals in the middle frame and carried it over to the third when he notched an assist on the first marker of the period. Guy’s lone goal came in the middle of the second when Travis Konecny (4A, +2) set him up on the man advantage.

Potent notables – Christopher Clapperton (1G-1A, +2) led the Rimouski Oceanic over the Victoriaville Tigres in the 5-3 affair… Baie-Comeau Drakkar’s Vaclav Karabacek and Shawinigan Cataractes’ Dylan Labbe notched three helpers apiece in their respective QMJHL games… Rouyn-Noranda Huskies captain Ryan Penny (2G-1A, +2) helped his club knock off the Val-d’Or Foreurs 8-3… Bryan Moore (2G-1A), Michael Bunting (2G-1A, +1) and Justin Bailey (2G) netted a pair of goals each as the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds defeated the Saginaw Spirit 8-2… Daniel Wapple turned aside 29 of 31 shots for the Regina Pats in a 3-2 victory to give them a 2-0 series lead on the Swift Current Broncos… Medicine Hat Tigers puck-stopper Marek Langhamer made 31 saves in a 2-1 win over the Red Deer Rebels… Brandon Magee (2G, +1) scored the game-winner for the Victoria Royals in a 5-4 victory against the Prince George Cougars… overage Adam Helewka (2G-1A, +1) helped the Spokane Chiefs knock off the Everett Silvertips 6-2.

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