Gophers goaltender LaFontaine flooded with 2020-21 awards

Jack LaFontaine, Gophers goaltender (⬆️ UP)

What a week it’s been for Minnesota’s senior goalie. On Tuesday night, LaFontaine stopped 46 shots and held off a furious Wisconsin rally to defeat the Badgers 6-4 and earn the Gophers’ second Big Ten crown in program history. LaFontaine was also named the Big Ten Goaltender of the Year, the conference tournament’s Most Outstanding Player and a finalist for the Hobey Baker award.

Kyle Garlick, Twins outfielder (⬆️ UP)

Garlick continues to be one of the leading candidates to be this year’s spring training darling. Entering Wednesday, Garlick is batting .368/.409/.895 with a team-high three homers and eight RBI in 19 spring training at-bats. Minnesota’s outfield is crowded with Byron Buxton, Jake Cave, Max Kepler, Alex Kirilloff and Brent Rooker, but Garlick could sneak up on the opening day roster by unseating Cave or if the Twins decide Kirilloff should begin the season in the minors.

Jose Berrios, Twins pitcher (⬇️ DOWN)

Berrios wasn’t at his best Tuesday, allowing four runs on eight hits in four innings of work against Pittsburgh. But he’s had a decent spring, as those were the first runs he’d given up all camp. Nothing to worry about here.

Ricky Rubio, Wolves guard (⬆️ UP)

Rubio was the most beloved but also the most criticized Timberwolves player over his first tenure with the club. That’s still the case in 2020-21. Rubio struggled to find his footing early on this season, logging 5.9 points and 5.7 assists over his first 18 games. In the nine matchups coached by Chris Finch, however, Rubio has registered 11.4 points, 7.4 assists and 1.4 steals per contest. He posted his second double-double of the season Tuesday with 19 points and 12 assists against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kaapo Kahkonen, Wild goaltender (⬆️ UP)

All the rookie does is win. The Wild have won their last nine games Kahkonen has played between the pipes. He posted his first career shutout March 8, only to do it again Tuesday with 31 saves in a 3-0 victory over Arizona. Among NHL goalies with 15+ games played, Kahkonen ranks third in save percentage (.927) and fourth in goals-against-average (2.05).