Thursday’s 3 stars: Cataractes’ Michael Chaput and Morgan Ellis net four-point nights

No. 1 star: Michael Chaput, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)

The Shawinigan Cataractes stomped on the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles tonight in an 8-2 shellacking. With this win the Cataractes hurdled over the Saint John Sea Dogs for top spot in the QMJHL standings.

It seemed every time Michael Chaput touched the puck tonight it ended up in the back of the net. The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect scored his first goal of the game with less than five minutes left in the second period. He then assisted Morgan Ellis's power play goal with less than a minute left in the second. He later completed his hat trick by scoring a pair of third-period goals.

Chaput is now only one goal away from scoring 20 on the year. The 6-foot-2, 193-pound centre has notched 19 goals and 56 points in 48 games. This places him second on the Cataractes and 38^th in the league in points.

No. 2 star: Morgan Ellis, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)

Morgan Ellis had a monster performance against his former team. He notched an assist in the first period, scored the Cataractes' lone power-play goal in the second, and added two more helpers in the third.

Since being acquired by the Cataractes from the Screaming Eagles at the trade deadline, Ellis has been on over a point-per-game pace on the back end. The Montreal Canadiens prospect has scored an impressive six goals and 20 points in 18 games with Shawinigan.

No. 3 star: Ivan Telegin, Barrie Colts (OHL)

Ivan Telegin started the game and finished the game for the Barrie Colts tonight. He opened up the scoring just over 13 minutes into the game with a power-play goal. The Winnipeg Jets prospect then scored a goal early into the third period to give the Colts a two-goal lead. But the Peterborough Petes came roaring back with two goals of their own to push the game into overtime. No one was able to score in extra time, so the game went to a shootout. Telegin then topped off his impressive night by putting the game away with a goal on the Colts' sixth shootout attempt.

No. 1 honourable mention: Phillip Danault, Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)

The Victoriaville Tigres forced the Baie-Comeau Drakkar into overtime tonight thanks to Phillip Danault scoring with only 20 seconds left in the game. The Tigres went on to win the game 5-4 in a shootout.

Danault also added two helpers to his clutch goal. The Chicago Blackhawks prospect now has 14 goals and 60 points in 53 games on the year.

No.2 honourable mention: Brett Ritchie, Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL)

Brett Ritchie set the momentum of the game in favour of the Ice Dogs straight out of the gate. The winger scored just 41 seconds into the first period. Dougie Hamilton then scored 21 seconds later to knock the wind out of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. The Ice Dogs went on to win the game 7-1.

Ritchie's one goal and one assist performance gives him 33 points in 43 games on the season. The Dallas Stars prospect is eight points away from topping his previous season's point total.

With this win the Ice Dogs surpassed the Ottawa 67's in the standings. They are now sitting in first place in the Eastern Conference with 79 points.