Athletes are considered for the weekly top performer poll only if their stats are entered on the MN Hockey Hub by 10 a.m. on Sundays. If coaches or members of their staffs need access to enter stats, please email scores@nbcuni.com.
Griffin Valli, Buffalo. The senior defenseman led the Bison’s offense in a 6-5 overtime win against Bloomington Jefferson on Feb. 11, leading a come-from-behind victory. With the Bison trailing by two goals in the third period, Valli assisted on two goals to tie the game, including one with just over two minutes remaining. In overtime, Valli assured the Bison wouldn’t settle for a tie, scoring with 43 seconds left in the extra time to seal the win. Added to his goal and assist in the second period, Valli tallied five points for his second multi-point game of the season.
Cole Christian, Duluth East. Christian continues to light up the score sheet for the Greyhounds, averaging 2.50 points per game as the regular season nears completion. The senior forward has recorded at least one point in all but one of the Greyhounds’ 24 games this season and last week was no exception. On Feb. 6, Christian tied his season high, accumulating six points as the Greyhounds defeated Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 6-4. Christian posted a goal and five assists, with two points coming on power plays. The next night at Champlin Park, Christian scored the game-deciding goal in an overtime win. After scoring twice during regulation time, Christian tallied the game-winner 41 seconds into the extra period to send the Greyhounds home with the 6-5 victory.
Brady Johnson, Brainerd. The junior forward played a game the likes of which will be hard to match again as he amassed nine points in the Warriors’ 13-2 rout of Willmar. Johnson recorded a hat trick, bookending the scoring with the first goal of the game less than five minutes in and scoring the last two goals in the third period. Between his goals he tallied six assists. The nine-point effort more than doubled his previous season high of four points just over one month prior.
Gavyn Thoreson, Andover. Thoreson had a game to remember in a dominating win against Blaine on Feb. 7. He contributed on nearly all of the Huskies’ goals in the 9-0 win, tallying a season-high eight points. The senior forward notched six of his points on special teams, making an impact in the Huskies’ 4-for-6 power play on the night. Thoreson scored a goal and dished out three assists with the man advantage. He also was able to add a goal and assist while shorthanded.
Griffin Valli, Buffalo. The senior defenseman led the Bison’s offense in a 6-5 overtime win against Bloomington Jefferson on Feb. 11, leading a come-from-behind victory. With the Bison trailing by two goals in the third period, Valli assisted on two goals to tie the game, including one with just over two minutes remaining. In overtime, Valli assured the Bison wouldn’t settle for a tie, scoring with 43 seconds left in the extra time to seal the win. Added to his goal and assist in the second period, Valli tallied five points for his second multi-point game of the season.
Will Wagner, Coon Rapids. Wagner nearly recorded his first shutout of the season on Feb. 7, stopping 37 shots for a .974 save percentage in the Cardinals’ 2-1 victory against Hopkins. The junior goaltender was just over one minute away from the shutout when Hopkins was finally able to figure him out and get a puck past him. No stranger to facing a high number of shots in a game, it was the sixth time this season he’s seen at least 35 shots, but was his best single-game save percentage of the season.
*Stats and records as of Feb. 12.
MN Hockey Hub polls are for entertainment purposes only.
Cody Vlasaty, Rochester John Marshall. Jan. 30-Feb. 4
Teagan Dodge, Sauk Rapids-Rice. Jan. 23-28
Tate Pritchard, Lakeville South. Jan. 16-21
Brayden Graning, Becker/Big Lake. Jan. 9-14
Will Ingemann, Wayzata. Jan. 2-7
Calvin Jones, Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato. Dec. 26-31