Kelowna Rockets' Nick Merkley gets four points in blowout of Brandon: Saturday's 3 Stars

No. 1 star: Nick Merkley, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

The 17-year-old Merkley (1G-3A, +2) was dealing, as Kelowna pulled away for a 6-1 win over Brandon during the big Western League interconference showdown. The Wheat Kings had pressure early, but the Western League's second-leading scorer helped Kelowna assert itself by displaying some patient playmaking while getting two primary assists in the first period.

That 2-1 lead stood up until the 59-second mark of the second period, when Merkley used his speed to cut in off the wing on a short-handed rush and reached back to tuck the pack past Brandon goalie Jordan Papirny. The four points give the sophomore 24 points in 13 games, including 20 helpers.

No. 2 star: Oliver Bjorkstand, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

Portland had a one-goal lead over Saskatoon midway through the third period before Bjorkstand (3G, +3) and Chase De Leo (1G-1A, +3) heated up to lead the 'Hawks to a 6-1 win. De Leo deflected a breakout pass to create a turnover, leading to a Bjorkstrand snap-shot goal. That opened the floodgates; the Columbus Blue Jackets third-rounder scored a rebound goal from a tight angle and then completed his hat trick.

No. 3 star: Erik Bradford, Ottawa 67's (OHL)

The overage centre stepped up to help the 67's notch their first road win with a 6-1 win at Sarnia. Bradford (2G-2A, +3), who is coming off breaking his femur in March, assisted on Dante Salituro's 11th goal in 11 games early in the second period to give the 67's an early lead. The 20-year-old scored a few minutes later, then added two third-period points as Ottawa gave rookie goalie Leo Lazarev (38 saves) his first major junior win.

What Connor McDavid and Dylan Strome did

Nothing much; just one goal and three assists apiece in an 8-1 Erie Otters over Sudbury.

Honourable mention: Calder Brooks, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

The overage from Emerald Park, Sask., factored into all of the scoring as Spokane shaded Kootenay 4-3. Brooks (2G-2A, +2) scored two goals in 67 seconds early in the second period, each of which were set up by rookie Kailer Yamamoto (3A, +2). That Chiefs line, still playing with house money, connected again when Brooks assisted on a tally from Adam Helewka (2G-1A, +2). Helewka scored the eventual game-winner in the third.

Honourable menntion: Anthony Beauviller, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)

That was leading by doing. Beauvillier (2G, +1), the Cataractes' sophomore lynchpin, helped the Cataractes scratch out a 4-3 shootout win Gatineau. The 17-year-old forced overtime with his second goal of the night in the third period an also converted in Round 3 of the shootout to extend the breakaway contest.

Potent notables — Montreal Canadiens first-rounder Nikita Scherbak has an overtime assist in Everett's win over Seattle ... Vancouver Canucks first-rounder Jake Virtanen scored twice in Calgary's loss to Medicine Hat ... Calgary Flames pick Austin Carroll's second goal of the night gave Victoria a 3-2 win over Vancouver ... Columbus Blue Jackets first-rounder Sonny Milano scored his first OHL goal ... Moncton WIldcats' 16-year-old rookie Liam Murphy scored his first QMJHL goal ... Philppe Sanche (1G-1A, +1) helped Blainville-Boisbriand edge Halifax 2-1 ... Sophomore defenceman Nathan Noel (1G-1A, +1) was first star after Saint John ended Baie-Comeau's six-game win streak.

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