Prep athletes of the week: Minnetonka's Bobby Brink has hot hand in hockey tournament

Minnetonka • hockey

The sophomore forward is known for his puck-handling wizardry and innate ability to score goals, which he did five times over three games to lead the Skippers to their first Class 2A state championship.

He scored two goals in each of the first two games, including the go-ahead goal just 59 seconds into the third period to help the Minnetonka rally from a two-goal deficit to beat Centennial 6-3 in the semifinals.

His timely scoring touch showed up again in the finals when he corralled a loose puck in front of the Duluth East net and deftly tucked it around the Greyhounds goalkeeper to even the score 1-1 in the first period.

Of Brink's five goals, two were shorthanded, two came on the power-play and the other was even-strength. His success, he said, was a by-product of the Skippers' aggressive style of play.

"We wanted to play how we usually do, which is getting pucks in deep, possessing it down low and not giving them a chance to breathe," he said after their 5-2 championship game-victory over Duluth East. "I think we did that really well."

Prior Lake • basketball

Lakeville North • basketball

The sophomore guard has been at her best in the postseason. She averaged 23.5 points per game, six points above her regular-season average, in two Section 1, 4A playoff games, capped by a 22-point effort in a 65-43 victory over Farmington in the championship.

BLAKE REMME

Spring Lake Park • basketball

The 6-foot-5 sophomore forward has elevated his game in the Panthers' past four outings, averaging 29.5 points per game. He had the best scoring night of his young career when he notched 35 in a 56-54 victory over Roseville in the Section 5, 4A quarterfinals.

In the biggest game of the season, the senior guard had the best game of her six-year career. She scored a career-high 35 points to help the Redhawks to a 64-51 victory over Concordia Academy in the Section 4, Class 2A championship game.

Heritage Christian • basketball

The hard-nosed junior guard lifted the Eagles to their first state tournament berth in team history. She scored 27 points, had 6 rebounds and 4 assists and solved Mayer Lutheran's pressure defense with her ball-handling in a 71-58 victory in the Section 4, 1A finals.

Orono • hockey

The senior captain was a steady hand for the Spartans in their run to the Class 1A state championship. Walker led the 1A tournament with four goals, including a hat trick in their 5-4 overtime victory over Mahtomedi in the semifinals and the opening goal in the final.