Tuesday, February 22, 2011

USHL Honors - Week 21

Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced the weekly award winners for the 21st week of the 2010-11 USHL regular season.

Congratulations to a trio of players from the Lincoln Stars as forward Austin Hervey was named CCM Offensive Player of the Week; defenseman Chris Casto was selected as CCM Defensive Player of the Week; and Kevin Murdock earned honors as the Reebok USHL Goaltender of the Week.

Hervey scored three points (2g, 1a) and posted a plus-three rating to help the Stars win three games in four nights. His third-period goal proved to be the game-winner as the Stars knocked off League-leading Green Bay 4-3 on Wednesday. It was the first goal of the season for the 18-year-old native of Brighton, Michigan. Hervey dished out an assist in Friday's 4-1 win against Fargo and then tallied the game-winning goal in Saturday's 2-0 win to knock off first-place Omaha in a Western Conference matchup. Hervey has appeared in 29 games during his second USHL season after competing in 11 USHL contests in 2009-10 with Team USA.

Casto recorded three points (1g, 2a) and a plus-three rating in three victories for the Stars. The defenseman tallied a goal and one assist in Wednesday's victory against Green Bay. The 19-year-old also fired a game high five shots on goal. Casto dished out an assist in Friday's 4-1 win as the Stars earned their fourth straight home win and then helped Lincoln earn a 2-0 shutout on Saturday. The native of Stillwater, Minnesota is playing in his first USHL season and has collected 20 points (4g, 16a) in 40 games while tying for the team lead with a plus-16 rating. It is the second time in a span of three weeks that he has earned the weekly USHL award.

Murdock posted a 1.33 goals-against-average and a .948 save percentage while earning all three wins for the Lincoln Stars. He made 24 saves on Wednesday as the Stars defeated Green Bay and then stopped 25 shots in Friday's 4-1 win over Fargo. Murdock, 20, completed the week by stopping all 24 shots he faced in the 2-0 victory against Omaha. It was the fourth shutout of the season for the native of Bradenton, Florida which ties for first among all USHL goaltenders. It was also his 20th win of the season – the second most in the League. It is the fourth time this season he has won the weekly USHL goaltending award.

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

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