Howard Earns First Star Honors

East Lansing, Mich. -- Michigan State junior Isaac Howard (Hudson, Wisconsin) has been named the Big Ten First Star of the Week, as announced by the Conference office on Tuesday (Dec. 17).

Howard had a pair of goals and an assist in MSU's tie (shootout win) and victory over then-No. 1 Minnesota last weekend on the road in Minneapolis.

In the Friday game, Howard earned an assist on Karsen Dorwart's goal in the 3-3 tie with the Gophers. On Saturday, Howard netted MSU's first two goals – the first one tied the game at 1-1 on the power play (a laser from the right circle) and then with the Spartans trailing 3-1, Howard delivered a poised, patient score that began MSU's comeback, the first of three goals in three minutes that helped the squad pull ahead for good in a 5-3 victory in the series finale.

It was the second two-goal game of the season and the winger's career. He now has a team-best nine goals, which surpasses his career-best total of eight that he had last year as a sophomore. Howard, with a 9-11-20 scoring line, ranks fourth in the Big Ten in goals per game (0.56, 17^th nationally) and eighth in assists per game (0.67), and is eighth nationally and third in the conference in points per game (1.25). He owns or shares the team lead in all three categories.

Midway through his third collegiate season, Howard has 73 career points (23 goals, 50 assists) in 87 career games.

The Spartans, who returned to the No. 1 spot in both national polls on Monday, Dec. 16, are now idle until the Great Lakes Invitational in Grand Rapids on Dec. 29-30.

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Players Mentioned

Karsen Dorwart

Isaac Howard

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