Apple Valley senior forward Erica Power has a knack for putting the puck in the net. She even has exceeded her expectations in recent weeks.

Power recorded back-to-back five-goal games for the Eagles' girls' hockey team. She scored 14 goals over a five-game stretch.

"Erica is the type of player every coach wants — a game-changer," Apple Valley coach Don Erdall said. "While she garners attention as a scoring threat, what most don't realize unless they've played or coached against her, is she is one of the — if not the best — two-way forwards in the state."

Power scored all five of the Eagles' goals in a 5-1 triumph over Eagan last Thursday. On Jan. 11, Power had five goals and an assist in an 11-4 victory over Rosemount.

Power has 23 goals on the season, moving into the top 25 girls' goal scorers in the state.

"She's led our team in scoring and plus/minus for four consecutive seasons," Erdall said. "The most admirable trait about Erica is that she's never satisfied. She competes every time she gets on the ice."

Apple Valley enters the final two weeks of the regular season with an overall record of 6-14-1. It only won two of its first 15 games.

"Her overall career has been very memorable, and she will certainly go down as one of the best ever to wear the brown and gold," Erdall said. "She earned a spot on the top line for us as a 14-year-old freshman and has not relinquished that role. As a team, there has been a big turnaround in the record and playoff success due in large part to Erica Power."

Appreciation night
The St. Thomas Academy boys' hockey team will host military appreciation night Thursday when it plays Hill-Murray at the school's arena in Mendota Heights at 7:30 p.m.

The Cadets are ranked No. 11 in Class 2A while Hill-Murray sits atop the poll. It will be the second meeting between the Classic Suburban Conference schools. St. Thomas Academy lost the opening matchup 3-2.

Anyone presenting military identification will be admitted free. All active military members, veterans and immediate family (spouse/significant other of an active member/veteran and children) are invited to attend the game.

Top performances
• It was a marquee boys' basketball matchup, Class 4A, No. 1 Apple Valley against No. 3 Lakeville North. It was also time for the state's best player, Eagles senior point guard Tyus Jones, to star. The Duke recruit scored 41 points, connecting on 16 of 21 shots from the floor, as the Eagles rolled to a 102-74 South Suburban Conference victory. He also had eight assists, six rebounds and three steals.

• Eastview senior forward Jake McGlocklin netted four goals before the second period was two minutes old in a 10-1 victory over Rochester John Marshall in a nonconference boys' hockey game. Earlier this season, McGlocklin had a hat trick and two assists in a 9-2 victory over Hopkins. He now has 10 goals.