Michigan State University Athletics
Vukovic, Lerg Earn CCHA Weekly Awards
11/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Nov. 5, 2007
East Lansing, Mich. - Senior blueliner Daniel Vukovic (North York, ONT) and junior goaltender Jeff Lerg (Livonia, Mich.) were named the CCHA's Defensive Player and Goaltender of the Week, respectively, as announced by the league office on Monday, Nov. 5. The pair helped the Spartans sweep a CCHA set at Alaska last weekend (3-1, 3-1), extending the MSU winning streak to six games. Michigan State, which climbed to the No. 3/4 spots in this week's national polls, has a record of 6-1-0 overall, 4-0-0 CCHA.
Vukovic anchored a Spartan defense that allowed just two goals on the weekend, and also had a hand in five of the six MSU scores. He netted the game-winner on Saturday and later added an assist on a Tim Kennedy power-play strike, and also assisted on both of Kennedy's PPG on Friday (which included the game-winner) and added a goal as well. On the weekend, he had a pair of goals and three assists, was a +1, and was a major contributor on special teams - the MSU penalty kill allowed just one goal in 10 chances.
Jeff Lerg posted a pair of one-goal games this weekend on the road, allowing a first-period goal each night in twin 3-1 victories. On Saturday, Lerg made 11 of his 26 saves in the third period to preserve a tight game. He boasted a 1.00 GAA and .959 save percentage in the series, and has allowed two or fewer goals in each of his last three games. On Friday, he made in his 61st consecutive start, setting a school record. He sits second all-time in consecutive goaltender starts in the NCAA annals, and is third in consecutive games played.
The Spartans return to action this weekend at Munn Ice Arena, where they will kick off a six-game homestand by hosting Atlantic Hockey entry Mercyhurst. Games both evenings will be at 7:05 p.m.
