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USHL Weekly

December 15, 2003 - United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release


New Era - Sioux City opens its new building on Wednesday when the Musketeers host Waterloo. Sioux City played just once last week, beating Sioux Falls, 4-1. Troy Brummett notched a goal and two assists in the victory.

Winners - Chicago pushed its winning streak to six games last week. The Steel’s .750 winning mark leads the league.

Offensive D-man - Cedar Rapids' Shane Lovdahl leads all USHL defensemen with five goals.

Balance - Danville got points from 11 players in Saturday’s 6-4 win over Cedar Rapids.

Better late than never - Des Moines leads the USHL in third-period goals with 36.

Streaking - Tri-City’s John Dingle is currently in the midst of an eight-game points streak. He has 10 points over the span. Lincoln’s Matt Weir has notched a point in seven straight games. He has 11 points over the span. Danville’s Ryan Hoehn has goals in three straight games.

From the point - Green Bay’s Kyle Klubertanz leads all USHL defensemen in shots with 82 in 24 games.

Breakaway - Who is the USHL’s best when it comes to defeating the breakaway? It might be Sioux City goaltender Jeff Lantz, who has turned aside 13 of 14 attempts in shootouts this season.

Let’s Play Hockey will present all USHL Players of the Week with a trophy and will announce the Let’s Play Hockey / USHL Player of the Year at the conclusion of the season. For subscriptions to Let’s Play Hockey, call (612) 729-0023.

USHL Quotable with...

Lincoln Stars forward Matt Weir on the Stars’ goal for the rest of the season (as told to Mark Derowitsch, Lincoln Journal Star):

“We want to play consistent hockey, not only against River City, but against the rest of the league. We want to make our mark and start climbing the ladder up to first place.”

LPH/USHL Offensive Player of the Week:

Rastislav Spirko -- TRI-CITY STORM

Spirko (Vrutky, Slovakia), the league’s leading scorer, earned Offensive Player of the Week honors with a solid two-goal, three-assist week. One of his goals was a power-play tally. He complemented his stellar offensive play with a plusminus rating of plus-3 for the week. Honorable mention to Eric Slais (Chicago), Tomas Klempa (Danville), Mike Curry (Sioux City) and Matt Weir (Lincoln).

LPH/USHL Defensive Player of the Week:

Shane Connelly -- CHICAGO STEEL

Connelly (Cheldenham, Pa.) earned Defensive Player of the Week honors after notching a pair of impressive wins in goal for the Steel. He posted a 2.00 goals-against average and a .947 saves percentage for the week. His 7-1 overall record is among the league’s best. Honorable mention goes to Brad Smith (Green Bay) and Jimmy Spratt (Sioux City).

USHL Alumni Report

December 15, 2003

Wisconsin goaltender Bernd Bruckler (Tri-City) was named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week today after backstopping the No. 4 Badgers to a two-game sweep over Minnesota State last weekend. Bruckler stopped 55 of 58 shots on goal in the series for a .948 saves percentage, shut out MSU in four of six periods, and blanked the Mavericks on all 14 power-play opportunities... Boston University freshman defenseman Thomas Morrow (Des Moines) was named Hockey East Rookie of the Week today after the rookie blueliner set up two of BU’s five goals and finished +3 in a 5-1 win over Niagara on Saturday... Miami of Ohio’s Mike Kompon (Thunder Bay) leads the CCHA in assists with 17... Ohio State’s J.B. Bittner (Sioux Falls) leads the CCHA in power-play goals with six... Lake Superior State freshman goaltender Jeff Jakaitis (Waterloo) leads the CCHA with a 1.89 goals-against average... College Hockey America named Wayne State goaltender Matt Kelly (Topeka) Defensive Player of the Week today. Last week, the conference named former Topeka leading scorer Luke Erickson Rookie of the Week... Princeton’s Grant Goeckner-Zoeller (Sioux City) is among the ECAC’s leaders in freshman scoring with seven points in 13 games... Denver defenseman Brett Skinner (Des Moines) is second among all WCHA blueliners in points... North Dakota’s Brandon Bochenski (Lincoln) leads the nation with a 1.69 points-per-game average.

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United States Hockey League Stories from December 15, 2003


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