Pointstreak Peak Performers from San Jose event announced

Press Release

MIDGET MAJOR (18U) POINTSTREAK PEAK PERFORMER
Bob Tritschler, forward, Pittsburgh Viper Stars

Tritschler, 18, has been a big reason why the Viper Stars are sitting atop of the PHL’s 18U Midget Major Division and a big reason why they have the #1 offense in the 18U division. The 5’11”, 185 lbs. forward from Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania, played his best hockey of the season so far at the last PHL event in San Jose, California. Tritschler had a total of six goals and three assists for nine points in just four games played as Pittsburgh went 3-1-0 and moved into a 1st place tie atop the 18U PHL standings.

Tritschler’s top performance of the event may have also come in his first game of the event in San Jose. Pittsburgh defeated Omaha 6-3 with Tritschler scoring a hat-trick and adding an assist for a four point game. All three his goals came on the power play in the game.

Later that day, Tritschler added another three points (one goal, two assists), which all came in the 2nd period of a 5-3 win over the Wenatchee Wild. After being held scoreless for the first time all season long in a 2-1 loss against Orange County, Tritschler came back with a vengeance in the next game, an 8-2 win against the New Jersey Jr. Titans. Tritschler had two goals, including the game-winner in an 8-2 win.

For the 2011-12 season, Tritschler leads all PHL 18U players in goals with nine and is third in points with 15. Pittsburgh head coach Dave Kosick believes that Tritschler’s decision to come back and play one more season with the Viper Stars is going to pay off for the forward. “Bob is chasing his dream, which is playing hockey. He is a 4.0 student and that has allowed him to really put the focus on hockey,” said Kosick. “He is becoming a premier player in this league and it is going to help him take that next step because of the fact his is both an outstanding student and hockey player. His focus is 100% on taking that next step and securing an opportunity at a high junior level. He has tremendous value to our team and is very gifted with the puck.”

MIDGET MINOR (16U) POINTSTREAK PEAK PERFORMER
Jason Pawloski, goaltender, Omaha AAA

For his play in the San Jose event, Pawloski, 15, was not only honored as the 16U Peak Performer, but also as the Brian’s Custom Sports Goaltender of the Month. Pawloski, who hails from Omaha, Nebraska, played in all four games for Omaha in San Jose. He led the team to a 3-0-1 record in the event stopping a total of 93 of 100 shots from a 93.0% save percentage and an 1.75 goals against average.

Pawloski began the San Jose in grand style stopping 40 of 44 shots, a PHL career-high, in a close 5-4 win over the Texas Tornado 16U team. That included stopping all three shooters in the shootout. Late that day, Pawloski and Omaha suffered their only loss of the event in a 2-1 shootout loss against the West Michigan Hounds, in which he made 16 saves in regulation, only to drop the game on the seventh shooter in his second straight shootout.

The next day, Pawloski recorded his second shutout of the PHL season with a 2-0 blanking of the Las Vegas Storm. On the final day, Pawloski made 29 saves in a 3-2 win over the California Titans.

After a 3-2-0 start at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, the Omaha 16U team went 3-0-1 in San Jose and now sit at 6-2-1 for the season with 13 points, just three points out of first place in the 16U division.

“It goes without saying that when Jason plays well, we play well,” said Omaha 16U head coach David Wilike. “We needed that type of performance in goal badly and Jason stepped up and came through. Every time he is out there, he gives us a chance to win and that’s all we can ask of him.”

Although he is only 15, Pawloski is 6’1”, 155lbs., something that Wilkie sees an advantage for the budding goaltender. “He is a big goalie and takes up a lot the net, which enables him to make the first save. At this level, that is one of the big things we are focused on is stopping the first shot then letting your teammates help from there.”

BANTAM MAJOR (14U) POINTSTREAK PEAK PERFORMER
Aaron Burden, forward, San Jose Jr. Sharks

The San Jose Jr. Sharks 14U team went an impressive 3-1-0 at their host event in San Jose and one of the key ingredients to that success was 14-year-old forward Aaron Burden.

Burden, who hails from San Jose, began the event on a high note as on the first day he led his Jr. Sharks team to a 4-3 win over the Pursuit of Excellence 14U team. In that game, Burden had a flair for the dramatic as he was hauled down on a late 3rd period breakaway, only to be awarded a penalty shot with less than two minutes remaining in the game. Burden would bury the penalty shot, which ultimately ended up as the game-winning goal.

The next day, Burden was even better, as he scored two goals (both on the power play) as he led the Jr. Sharks to a close 3-2 win over the California Titans. The Jr. Sharks would face the Titans again the next day and Burden would assist on the first goal in a 4-1 win.

On the final day, the Jr. Sharks would suffer their first loss at the hands of the Phoenix Firebirds, but Burden would earn an assist on the Jr. Sharks lone goal in the game.

For the season, Burden not only leads the Jr. Sharks 14U team in points with 10, but he is tied for fifth in the PHL’s 14U division in goals. He has recorded at least a point in eight of San Jose’s nine games this season.

“Aaron is a very good two-way hockey player and he has learned that at an age where guys tend to be more offensive,” said Jr. Sharks 14U head coach Curtis Brown. “Our entire team has played better and is improving and I think Aaron has been a big part of that. He is a player that can play in all situations and as the competition gets tougher, he has played better.”

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)