Southern's Matthew Leonard, Middletown South's Nate Block, Howell's James Fay earn Three Stars honors for February 9

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In an homage to a National Hockey League tradition dating back to the 1936-1937 season, Shore Sports Network will be selecting three standouts from each day of Shore Conference ice hockey. The Three Stars of the Day will be posted each morning for the previous day's games.

This version of the Three Stars had us making some tough choices as multiple players from the four games on Tuesday were deserving. But there can only be three...

First Star

Matthew Leonard, Jr., Fwd., Southern Regional

Leonard scored two goals and added an assist to help the Rams come through with an impressive 5-1 victory over the No. 10-ranked Catholic tri-op (St. Rose/Red Bank Catholic/Donovan Catholic). His goal at 9:23 of the second period stood up as the eventual game-winning goal, but it was his second goal that put Southern up 4-1 that will be talked about all season. Midway through the third period, Leonard scored a "Michigan" goal, putting the puck flat on his stick and tucking it into the top corner of the goal from behind the net. Below is a clip of Leonard's goal courtesy of the Southern News Network school broadcast, and also the original "Michigan" goal by Mike Legg.

Second Star

Nate Block, Jr., Fwd., Middletown South

Block is becoming a regular in this feature, and deservingly so. Middletown South rallied to tie St. John Vianney, 3-3, thanks to Block's goal with 19 seconds left in the game. He led all players with a goal and two assists.

Third Star

James Fay, Sr., Fwd., Howell

Fay scored twice in the first period and added an assist to help the Rebels skate to a 5-4 victory over district rival Freehold Township, the team's first win of the season. Fay is tied for the team lead with three goals and three assists in three games.

Honorable mention: Ryan Croddick (Rumson-Fair Haven), Dmitri Kapranov (Marlboro/Holmdel), Stanley Paluszek (Howell), Payton Fobes (Freehold Township), Aidan Rowland (Southern), William DiStefano (Southern).

Managing editor Bob Badders can be reached at bob.badders@townsquaremedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bob_Badders. Like Shore Sports Network on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for all the latest video highlights.