Natural Selection: Barber Named SBK Hockey/West POW
February 15, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release
WENATCHEE, Wash. -Jacob Barber (Dardenne Prairie, Mo.) has worn a Wenatchee Wild sweater justfour times, but he has made quite a name for himself already in that shortperiod of time. Barber, 19, recorded a 4-point game last Thursday in the Wild's6-0 shutout over the Fresno Monsters that included a natural hat trick in thethird period.
Naturally, Barber was named the SBK Hockey/West Player ofthe Week Monday for his efforts in the Fresno series. In the first game of theseries, Barber earned the primary assist on Blake Saylor's (Centennial, Colo.) first-period goal, which wouldeventually go as the game-winner.
Barber went on to dominate the third period, scoring threegoals in 15 minutes and 57 seconds. He scored his first goal 7:25 into thefinal stanza on a deflection off a TylerHope (McKinney, Texas) shot from the top of the far faceoff circle.
Barber's second goal, scored at 10:08, was his most impressive.After intercepting a breakout pass near the Fresno blue line, Barber showcasedhis speed and scoring touch when he skated in alone on Fresno goalie Luis Puigand lofted a shot over his right shoulder. Barber's final goal, notched with4:03 remaining in regulation, came on another redirection, this time off Bradley Shumway's (Lafayette, Colo.)shot.
"It always takes a few games for a player to get settled ina new situation," said Wild head coach JohnBecanic. "For Jacob, he quickly became very comfortable with our guys. Hehad an outstanding game [last] Thursday. Jacob is very quick, plays withpassion and he obviously has scoring touch."
Barber has six points (4G, 2A) in four games with the Wildsince he was acquired in a trade with the Alaska Avalanche on Feb. 4. Overallthis season, Barber has 47 points (28G, 19A). With 28 goals, Barber is thefourth highest scorer in the NAHL, and his 47 points tie him for 15thbest.
Monday's player of the week award was Barber's second of theseason. He was named player of the week on Sept. 13 when he was a member of theAvalanche after he led his team to a 5-2 win in its first game of the seasonwith a hat trick.
Barber and the Wild (26-17-3), which climbed back intosecond place in the West Division with last Thursday's win over the Monsters,will host a 2-game series against the Dawson Creek Rage this Friday andSaturday. Both games will begin at 7:05 p.m.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 15, 2011
- Schmidt Commits: Another Star to Ferris - Traverse City North Stars
- March 5th Game Moved to March 7th - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Natural Selection: Barber Named SBK Hockey/West POW - Wenatchee Wild
- Rays Report: Huge Success off the Ice - Corpus Christi IceRays
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