There will be plenty of Delta Ice Hawks flavour in Monday’s Pacific Junior Hockey League All-Star game and Mark Epshtein made a strong case for even more.
The third-year forward would probably be on his way to Maple Ridge too if the Hawks didn’t already have six players suiting up for the Tom Shaw Conference All-Stars. The 19-year-old has been scoring at a productive clip in the past month, including a hat trick in Tuesday’s 8-1 win over Ridge Meadows.
That gives him 18 goals on the season, including 10 in as many games since Dec. 4. Epshtein is also used in all situations, evident by his team-leading three shorthanded goals.
Ice Hawks that will be at Planet Ice's Cam Neely Arena include forwards Alex Suprynowicz, Jordan Deyrmenjian, Andrew Kemp and Daniel Rubin, along with blueliners Liam Visram and Nick Marsh. The defending PJHL champions will also be well-represented behind the bench, led by GM and head coach Steve Robinson.
It’s going to be a hectic stretch for Visram who is with B.C. Hockey League’s Nanaimo Clippers this weekend for a three-game road trip in Trail, Penticton and Salmon Arm. A 4-3 overtime victory in Trail Friday was the Clippers’ 10th straight win.
The Hawks also return to regular season action on Tuesday when Grandview comes to Ladner at 7:35 p.m.
