Monday, January 10, 2011

USHL Honors - Week 15

Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced the weekly award winners for the 15th week of the 2010-11 USHL regular season.

Congratulations to forward Cody Strang of the Youngstown Phantoms, named CCM Offensive Player of the Week; defenseman Max Hartner of the Green Bay Gamblers, selected as CCM Defensive Player of the Week; and Kevin Murdock of the Lincoln Stars who earned honors as the Reebok USHL Goaltender of the Week.

Strang scored five points (3g, 2a) and posted a plus-four rating to help the Youngstown Phantoms earn five of a possible six points in the standings during the week. He scored the game-winning goal with under two minutes to play in the third period of Friday's 4-3 victory over Sioux City. The win snapped the six-game losing streak for the Phantoms. Strang tallied a shorthanded goal, added an assist, and registered a game high plus-three in Saturday's 4-3 win against Muskegon. The forward then completed the weekend with a two-point effort (1g, 1a), including his fifth straight game with a goal, in Sunday's 4-3 shootout loss to Team USA. The native of Madison, Wisconsin is second on the Phantoms in scoring with 21 points (9g, 12a) in 29 games during his second USHL season and he is tied for fifth overall in the League with a plus-15 rating.

Hartner tallied two goals and a plus-two rating in helping the Green Bay Gamblers extend their winning streak to five games. The 19-year-old defenseman played in a big role in the weekend series vs. the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, which was a battle for first place in the Eastern Conference. Hartner helped limit the Riders to just one goal in Friday's 2-1 shootout victory. He then scored two goals during Saturday's 4-3 shootout win over Cedar Rapids. It was the first two-goal game of his USHL career. His six shots on goal were a game high and the most during his time in the USHL. The native of Greenwood Village, Colorado has collected eight points (4g, 4a) in 23 games during his second season with the Gamblers.

Murdock earned two wins for the Lincoln Stars to help them snap their six-game winless streak. He stopped all 27 shots he faced in the 3-0 win over Tri-City on Friday. It was his third shutout of the season which is tied for second among USHL goaltenders. Murdock then made a season high 39 saves in the 4-3 victory at Omaha on Saturday. He has won 11 games for the Stars this season, including a stellar 6-1-0 record on the road. The six road victories are tied for third among USHL netminders. It is the third USHL season for the 20-year-old native of Bradenton, Florida. He has appeared in the 73 regular season USHL games and collected 36 wins.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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