Judging by the laughter from his teammates in Monday's press conference at Munn Ice Arena, junior defenseman Daniel Vukovic's CCHA Defensive Player of the Week award was somewhat unexpected.
"When I'm not noticed, I can just play my game," Vukovic said.
"But at the same time, when they notice you're a top body, it's a little bit more pressure. I can't make the mistakes now and I have to play a bit better."
Vukovic, who is not known for his offense, scored the game-tying goal in the third period of Saturday's 4-1 victory over Miami (Ohio).
Vukovic's goal sparked three more third-period MSU goals.
"I'm sure he's extremely excited," MSU head coach Rick Comley said. "He's the only one who knew it went in, and he yelled so loudly — oh God, did he ever yell."
Vukovic also had an assist in Friday's 5-2 loss to Miami and was a plus-five for the weekend. Additionally, he was part of a MSU penalty killing unit that stopped all nine Miami power-plays on the weekend.
"I just look at it thinking that I just have to play my game," Vukovic said. "It's not the flashiest game, I just have to play the strong defensive game to help the team."
Although defensive-minded players may not get the most recognition, Comley is comfortable with Vukovic's role and contribution to the team.
"Points, to me, are bonuses for him," Comley said. "Just hits, looking for hits, using his body effectively, punishing people — which I think he did Saturday (more) than I think I've ever seen him do."
Bitten by the bug
Comley said he hopes the flu bug that is circulating through the Spartans locker room will be dead by Friday when MSU plays Alaska for a two-game weekend home series. Even so, beating Miami with players vomiting on the floor, in bags and buckets between shifts, is more than impressive.
"That's as sick a group of kids as I've coached," Comley said. "Honest to God, I looked down the bench and at one point, there were three of them throwing up."
Comley said it got to be so bad that he had to ask players if they could go on the ice.
As if the ailing players weren't feeling bad enough already, the RedHawks didn't show much respect toward the sick Spartans.
"We had one kid at the end of the bench leaning over, and there's glass between the benches, and the Miami kid's watching him the whole time," Comley said. "I wanted to go bang the glass and say, 'Give the kid some privacy.'"
As much as Comley appreciates the players' perseverance, he would rather be able to move players from line to line because of flexibility and not necessity. Comley didn't like his team's chances entering Saturday's game after Friday's 5-2 trouncing.
"I go in doubting whether or not it can be done, and they do it," Comley said.
"I think they're very resilient, and that's a pretty good quality for a team to have.
"I thought it was going to be really tough and that our best chance was for (sophomore goaltender) Jeff (Lerg) to go in and maybe get 50 saves, and to hang around and try to win it late because it was a very depleted lineup."
