1-T. Justin Crandall - Jr. - F - St. Thomas Academy Cadets
1-T. AJ Reid - So. - F - St. Thomas Academy Cadets
I had to give another co-star for the number one star this past week. Justin Crandall's and AJ Reid's terrific performances for the Cadets almost mirrored one another. St. Thomas Academy, as a team, had a very nice week. They picked up three wins agains three quality teams, 5-2 over, at the time, #12 in Class A Rochester Lourdes, 8-5 over, at the time, #8 in Class A Mahtomedi, and 2-0 over Class AA Tartan.
Crandall scored two goals, one assist against Lourdes, a Hat Trick, one assist against Mahtomedi, and scored one of the two goals against Tartan.
Reid scored two goals against Lourdes, a Hat Trick against Mahtomedi, and he scored the other goal, an empty netter, against Tartan.
Crandall and Reid scored 12 of the Cadets 15 total goals during the week, 80% of the Cadets offensive production.
2. Tyler Prihoda - Sr. - F - Albert Lea
On Thursday, Prihoda completed a hat trick, of which one goal was shorthanded, in Albert Lea's victory over Austin, 7-1. Two days prior, on Tuesday, Prihoda had a better game against Mankato East/Loyola with 4 goals, 1 shorthanded, and an assist. The Tigers won that game 10-2.
Prihoda has had multiple goals in his last five games, 3 or more goals in his last three games. Prior to that, Prihoda had only scored multiple goals three times in 11 games with no hat tricks. The week before he scored the only three goals in a 5-3 loss to Red Wing.
3. Alex Fons - Jr. - G - Hopkins
I questioned myself on whether I should give a star to Alex Fons rather than an honorable mention. He was pulled in their 7-0 loss to Minnetonka last Tuesday. But, how do you not give a star to a goaltender who stops 56 out of 60 shots against the best team in Minnesota state high school hockey, the Edina Hornets? Oh yeah, Hopkins also won the game. It may be looked back on as the Performance of the Year by a goaltender in 2009.
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Honorable mentions:
Peter Lindblad - Morris/Benson: Two four-goal games and added two assists
Tyler Hansen - Morris/Benson: In the same two games as Lindblad, Hansen had a Hat Trick and
3 assists in one and 2 goals and 3 assists in the other
Daniel Anderson - Moose Lake Area: Nine goals (1 late game-winning goal), 3 assists in three games
Cam Sellnow - Rochester Century: 48 Saves in a 3-2 win against Duluth East
Andrew Ford - Eden Prairie: Shutout Eagan on 31 saves
Ben Persian - Orono: 5 goals, 5 assists in three games
Jake Useldinger - East Grand Forks: 4 goals, 6 assists in three games
Marshall Everson - Edina: 4 goals, natural hat trick against Wayzata
Riley Horgan - Mound-Westonka: 4 goals, 3 assists against Litchfield/DC
AJ Siiro - Bloomington Jefferson: 4 goals, 1 shorthanded, 3 assists in two games
Adam Krause - Hermantown: 3 goals, 4 assists in two games
Reid Herd - Breck School: Scored the only goal in Breck's tie with Totino-Grace, produced a Hat Trick, one shorthanded, against the St. Paul Saints, and then added a goal and an assist against St. Paul Como Park
Wesley Waytashek - Little Falls: Scored the lone goal in the game against Section 6A rival and Class A #7-ranked Alexandria and had a goal and two assists against Willmar in an 8-1 win.
Michael Sperl - Little Falls: Gave up only one goal in two games with a total of 43 saves including the 1-0 win over Alexandria
I will state it every week. There are SEVERAL deserving players that should be recognized. Please realize that I have to narrow it down somewhat.
