USHL Honors - Week 19

Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced the weekly award winners for the 19th week of the 2010-11 USHL regular season.

Congratulations to forward Daniil Tarasov of the Indiana Ice, named CCM Offensive Player of the Week; defenseman Chris Casto of the Lincoln Stars, 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.

Tarasov scored five points (1g, 4a) and posted a plus-four rating over two games for the Ice. He dished out a pair of assists during the first period of Friday's 4-3 shootout loss to Dubuque. The 19-year-old then tallied the game-winning goal and added two more assists in the 4-2 win against Tri-City on Saturday. It was the 10th multi-point game for Tarasov over his last 14 contests. The native of Moscow, Russia is playing in his first USHL season and is currently tied for fourth in League scoring with 43 points (21g, 22a) in 35 games. It is his second weekly USHL honor this season.

Casto collected three points (1g, 2a) and registered a plus-five rating to help the Stars to a pair of victories. He scored the game-winning goal with under a minute to play in overtime of Friday's 2-1 victory against Sioux Falls. The 19-year-old then dished out a two assists and had a game high plus-four rating in the 6-3 win over Sioux Falls on Saturday. Casto is a first-year USHL defenseman from Stillwater, Minnesota. He has scored 15 points (2g, 13a) in 34 games and is tied for the team lead with a plus-10 rating.

Murdock earned the win in both weekend games for Lincoln making a combined 56 saves. He made 29 saves in Friday's 2-1 overtime win against Sioux Falls. The 20-year-old netminder then made 27 saves against Sioux Falls in Saturday's 6-3 win. Murdock has compiled 16 wins for the Stars this season which is the second most victories among USHL goaltenders. He has appeared in 32 of the team's 36 games this season and is third overall in the League with nearly 1,800 minutes played. The native of Bradenton, Florida is playing in his third USHL season and has collected 41 career wins.

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