Russell, Howard Earn Big Ten Weekly Kudos

East Lansing, Mich. -- The Michigan State duo of Daniel Russell (Traverse City, Mich.) and Isaac Howard (Hudson, Wis.) have garnered Big Ten Second and Third Star of the Week honors, as announced by the Big Ten on Tuesday.

Russell scored dramatic game-winner at Wrigley with just 1.4 seconds remaining in overtime, with Howard earning the second assist on the play. It was the second goal of the game for the junior winger, and Division I-best sixth game-winning goal of the season. Howard had a goal in each of the two games against Wisconsin, a goal and an assist on Charlie Stramel's game-winner against the Badgers at Munn and a goal and two assists at Wrigley.

Combined with the centerman Stramel, MSU's top line accounted for 11 points in the Wisconsin series. The group has skated together for the last seven games and has a combined 12-11-23 scoring line in those contests.

Both are putting together career-best numbers as MSU rides a seven-game unbeaten streak (6-0-1) into the series this weekend at Penn State. Howard is the team's hottest hand, with 12 points (seven goals, five assists) in those games. He is third in the Big Ten in points (27), second in goals (13), and second in points per game (1.35). Nationally, Howard is fourth in points, second in goals, and fifth in points per game. His goals per game (0.65) ranks fourth among Division I players. Howard's 13 goals is close to doubling his career best of eight that he scored as a sophomore. His 27 points is nine shy of his 36 scored a year ago. He also has a career-best nine multiple-point games this season.

Russell is second among Spartans in goals (10), which is a tie for seventh in the Big Ten. He ranks fifth in the league in goals per game (0.50). His 10-6-16 scoring line puts him second on the team in both points and goals, while his +14 is second on the team and tops among forwards. He earns his second Star of the Week honor, while Howard collects his third such accolade. In total, Michigan State has had nine Star of the Week honors over the first half of the season.

The top-ranked Spartans are 17-2-1 on the season, and bring a 8-1-1 B1G record into their series this weekend against the Nittany Lions.

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Players Mentioned

Isaac Howard

Daniel Russell

Charlie Stramel

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