Howard and Russell Shine Bright with Big Ten Honors This Week

East Lansing, Mich. — The Michigan State pair of Daniel Russell (Traverse City, Mich.) and Isaac Howard (Hudson, Wis.) have received Big Ten Second and Third Star of the Week accolades, as announced by the Big Ten on Tuesday. 
 
 
Russell netted a thrilling game-winning goal at Wrigley with merely 1.4 seconds left in overtime, with Howard providing the second assist on the action.  It marked the junior winger’s second goal of the match, and his season-leading sixth game-winner overall.  Howard tallied a goal in both contests against Wisconsin, contributing a goal and an assist on Charlie Stramel’s game-winner against the Badgers at Munn, and registered a goal and two assists at Wrigley.
 
 
When combined with centerman Stramel, MSU’s top line amassed 11 points throughout the Wisconsin series.  The trio has played together for the past seven matches, boasting a combined 12-11-23 scoring record in those fixtures. 
 
 
Both players are achieving career-best statistics as MSU enters this weekend’s series at Penn State, riding a seven-game unbeaten streak (6-0-1). Howard has been the team’s standout performer, accumulating 12 points (seven goals, five assists) during these contests.    He ranks third in the Big Ten in points (27), second in goals (13), and second in points per game (1.35). On a national scale, Howard stands fourth in points, second in goals, and fifth in points per game. His goals per game ratio (0.65) is fourth among Division I athletes. Howard’s 13 goals is approaching double his career high of eight achieved during his sophomore year. His 27 points trail the 36 scored last season by nine.  Additionally, he has attained a career-high nine multiple-point games this season.
 
 
Russell ranks second among Spartans in goals (10), which ties him for seventh in the Big Ten.  He is positioned fifth in the league for goals per game (0.50). With a scoring record of 10-6-16, he occupies the second position on the team in both points and goals, and holds a +14 rating which is second on the team and the highest among forwards.  He secures his second Star of the Week award while Howard claims his third such recognition.  Throughout the first half of the season, Michigan State has acquired nine Star of the Week honors. 
 
 
The top-ranked Spartans boast a record of 17-2-1 this season, and will bring an 8-1-1 B1G record into their matchup this weekend against the Nittany Lions.