Following the Spartans' 3-1 national championship-clinching win Saturday night over Boston College, junior defenseman Daniel Vukovic's voice mail in-box was completely full.
The most important message was from his brother Nick who was watching the game on DirecTV from his home in Australia with friends.
"He moved over there, I think two years ago, and I haven't seen my brother for the two years," Vukovic said Monday. "He was like my closest brother, and he's called me during the run that we've had."
Vukovic said phone calls leading up to Saturday consisted of some silly advice, such as movies to watch prior to the championship game to use as inspiration.
Even though it was 9 a.m. in Australia and the DirecTV package had cost at least $60, Nick Vukovic was able to see his brother become a national champion.
"I guess (ESPN analyst) Barry (Melrose) gave him a shout-out during the game," Vukovic said. "He was ecstatic about it. All the guys there, apparently, they went nuts."
Back in East Lansing, another type of crowd was going nuts for the Spartans.
"My e-mail was packed with 300-plus e-mails," Vukovic said. "Every person that I've had class with has messaged me in some sort of way, even if I didn't really know them.
"It's an awesome feeling that's awesome to have. The whole campus is being really supportive right now, and they're just excited for us, and we're just excited for the campus."
But that wasn't all Vukovic heard from.
Vukovic said he heard from almost everyone — from former Spartan and current Atlanta Thrasher Jim Slater to former Spartan Drew Miller.
"The funniest call, which made it all set in today kind of, was I got a call from a dad who was an assistant coach of my select team when I was 6 years old," he said.
The victorious Spartans returned home at about 3 a.m. Sunday.
Still clutching the championship trophy, senior captain Chris Lawrence was greeted with an ovation when he went to get food at Menna's Joint.
"I got back, got something to eat, took the trophy around from the rink to get something to eat," he said.
"I got a standing ovation when I walked in."
The Spartans will be celebrated again tonight in a championship parade and pep rally to be immediately followed at Munn Ice Arena.
