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Wheat Kings’ Jayce Hawryluk scores a hatty to secure 3-0 series lead on Pats: Wednesday’s 3 Stars

No. 1 star: Jayce Hawryluk, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

Heading to Brandon for Game 3 down 2-0, the Regina Pats knew they needed to win this one to get back into the series. It seemed the Queen City Kids were going to pull off the victory with a 4-1 lead just 15 minutes into the game, but then Jayce Hawryluk happened. The 18-year-old centre scored two quick even-strength goals within three minutes of each other at the end of the opening frame to pull the Wheat Kings within one. He completed his hat trick by scoring the game-winner at the 15:10 mark in the third period after overage forward Chad Robinson tied the game up at four in the second period.

Hawryluk’s four-point night (assisted Jesse Gabrielle’s opening goal) in the 5-4 affair gives the Roblin, Man., native four goals and four assists in the playoffs. His exceptional play in the post-season combined with his 24 goals and 64 points from the regular-season makes it hard to believe that he wasn’t invited to the CHL’s Top Prospects Game.

Unfortunately, Hawryluk couldn't celebrate his great showing because he collapsed after the match. Wheat Kings GM Kelly McCrimmon released this statement after the game: “Jayce was taken to hospital after tonight's game. While concerned the club believes it is not serious. Until we have more information we cannot pinpoint the cause. Jayce is resting comfortably.”

No. 2 star: Dane Fox, Erie Otters (OHL)

Following going down 1-0 just 3:19 into the contest against the Saginaw Spirit, Fox led the Otters to a commanding 7-3 victory. The overage winger, who recently inked a deal with the Vancouver Canucks, finished out the first period with two goals and an assist on a Connor Brown (1G-3A, +1) marker. He went onto complete his hatty at 10: 14 in the final frame just after the Spirit got within one of the Otters.

Besides Fox and Brown posting four-point nights, Connor McDavid (1G-2A, +2) and Washington Capitals prospect Andre Burakovsky (1G-1A, +2) made a dent on the score sheet in the win that gives Erie a 3-1 series lead.

No. 3 star: Graham Black, Swift Current Broncos (WHL)

With the Broncos down 2-0 to the Medicine Hat Tigers after the first period thanks to a pair of Curtis Valk goals, Black pulled up his socks and got his team back into the game with two snipes. Both of the New Jersey Devils prospect's goals seemed to catch the Tigers by surprise as he scored 1: 06 into the second and 1:01 into the third. The genos were a monkey off the 19-year-old’s back because he failed to muster a point in the first three games of the series.

Broncos rookie Jake DeBrusk played hero in overtime by scoring the winner of the 3-2 contest and tying up the series at two wins apiece.

Honourable mention: Matt Murray, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

The Pittsburgh Penguins prospect shut the door to give the Greyhounds a 3-1 stranglehold in their series with the Owen Sound Attack. He turned aside all 24 pucks that came his way and stymied all four of their power-play chances in the 2-0 affair. The perfect game boosted Murray’s save percentage to .904 following posting numbers below .860 in the first two games of the series.

Rookie Jorgen Karterud notched the Greyhounds’ game-winner at the 13:55 mark in the middle frame and overage Patrick Watling scored the insurance marker on the penalty kill midway through the third period.

Honourable menitions: Cody Corbett and Mitchell Moroz, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

Corbett, an overage defenceman, and Moroz, a 19-year-old winger, helped the Oil Kings escort the Prince Albert Raiders out of the second season in a sweep. They scored two goals and three apples apiece in the 6-2 win.

Ottawa Senators first-rounder Curtis Lazar (1G-1A, +1) and Phoenix Coyotes first-rounder Henrik Samuelsson (2A, +1) also made their marks on the score board with two points each.

Potent notables: Guelph Storm 18-year-old Jason Dickinson scored two goals and one assist to lead his club to a 7-2 win over the Plymouth Whalers… Ryan Penny’s two goals helped the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies top the Quebec Remparts in the 4-1 affair… Cameron Askew scored the game-winner for the Drummondville Voltigeurs in their 3-2 victory against the Victoriaville Tigres… Philadelphia Flyers first-rounder Samuel Morin (1G-2A, +1) led the Rimouski Oceanic on the score sheet in their 5-0 win over the Chicoutimi Sagueneens… Dominic Poulin (3A, +1), Charles Hudon (1G-2A) and Jeremy Gregoire (2G-1A, +1) had three-point nights in the Baie-Comeau Drakkar’s 6-2 victory against the Shawinigan Cataractes to take the series in a sweep... Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Oliver Bjorkstrand notched a goal and two apples in the Portland Winterhawks’ 6-1 win, which completed the sweep, against the Vancouver Giants… Victoria Royals forward Austin Carroll (2G-1A, +2) led his team to a 6-1 win over the Spokane Chiefs… NHL draft prospect Tyson Baillie (1G-2A) helped lift the Kelowna Rockets to a 5-3 victory against the Tri-City Americans.

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