Saturday’s 3 Stars: Ferland’s four-pack propels Wheat Kings

No. 1 star: Michael Ferland, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

Ferland picked up a natural hat trick to give the shorthanded Wheat Kings a three-goal lead, then scored a fourth time in the third period as Brandon beat Prince Albert 6-2. He also added an assist in the third to set a new career high with five points. The 19-year-old is now tied for fourth in the league with 40 goals and ranks eighth with 83 points.

The Wheat Kings won their fourth straight game to pull nine points ahead of ninth-place Red Deer in the Eastern Conference playoff race, despite dressing only 16 skaters due to injuries. They also closed within one point of seventh-place Regina, and sit just six points out of fourth place.

No. 2 star: Ty Rattie, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

Rattie notched his fourth hat trick of the season and tied a career high with five points in an 11-2 thrashing of the Seattle Thunderbirds. Rattie put up all of his points in the first two periods, and sat out most of the third period as the Winterhawks called off the dogs (but still kept scoring). Of the 18 skaters dressed by Portland, only three didn't log points. Even goaltender Brendan Burke picked up an assist.

Portland hadn't scored 11 goals in a home game in more than 18 years.

A St. Louis Blues draftee, Rattie ranks second in the CHL with 48 goals (trailing only Emerson Etem) and second in the WHL scoring race with 97 points. He finished with a team-best +5 rating for the game.

No. 3 star: Cody McNaughton, Guelph Storm (OHL)

McNaughton's known more for his toughness than his scoring touch, but he exploded for three goals and two assists in Guelph's stunning 9-1 road shellacking of Plymouth. It was the first career hat trick for McNaughton in his 241st regular-season OHL game.

The ninth-place Storm are battling for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, and clearly brought more urgency than the second-place Whalers, outshooting them 57-31 for the game.

McNaughton scored both goals in the first period as Guelph scored the first eight goals of the game. After the Whalers finally got on the board, McNaughton scored with 27 seconds remaining to complete the hat trick.

First honourable mention: Andrew Yogan, Peterborough Petes (OHL)

Yogan figured in on all four goals -- scoring twice and adding two assists -- as the Petes upset Ottawa 4-3 in a game that was postponed from Friday night because of a leaky roof at the Ottawa Civic Centre.

The New York Rangers prospect from Florida assisted on Nick Ritchie's game-tying goal early in the third period, then notched the game-winner with 5:28 left in regulation.

Second honourable mention: Louis Domingue, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

Domingue outdueled Moncton's Roman Will and collected his third shutout of the season as the Remparts downed the Wildcats 2-0 on a light night in the Q.

Frédérick Roy scored twice in third period to lift Quebec to a hard-fought road win.

Third honourable mention: Kenny Cameron, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

With Tyler Bunz out hurt, Cameron started in net against Moose Jaw for the second night in a row. And after getting lit up for six goals in a 6-0 blowout loss on Friday, Cameron returned the favor Saturday, making 36 saves in the Tigers' 6-0 equally lopsided blasting of the Warriors.

Not only was it Cameron's first WHL shutout, it was only his second career victory. His other win came way back on October 8 in Vancouver.

Scott Sepich is a WHL correspondent for Buzzing the Net. Follow him on Twitter @SSepichWHL