“It feels nice to be getting points, playing well and helping out the team,” Vukovic said. “In the past, I’ve always been the guy who’s been more defensive and lately, starting half way through last year and this year, I’m starting to help out offensively, too.”

Known as a solid defender, Vukovic came out of nowhere offensively midway through last year, finishing the season with seven goals and five assists, earning himself the team’s Most Improved Player award at the annual banquet.

So far this season, Vukovic is proving his offensive explosion to end last year wasn’t a fluke as he’s already recorded nine points in seven games, three points shy of his career high of 12 set last season — in 42 games.

“He’s playing very well,” MSU head coach Rick Comley said. “He’s worked hard; we all saw him take the big step last year from Christmas on and it’s continued this year.”

But, in hoping some of his top forwards get going, Comley chuckled and said he hopes Vukovic doesn’t lead the team in scoring all season.

“But we’ll take it right now,” Comley said.

Vukovic scored CCHA Defensive Player of the Week honors for his play and junior goaltender Jeff Lerg also earned CCHA Goaltender of the Week honors for his weekend play.

Mystery Alaska

When the Spartans arrived in Alaska last Wednesday, they headed to a local rink for a quick practice.

But what Alaska’s cold weather offers a team is the chance to play outdoors, and Comley took advantage of one of the arena’s three outdoor rinks to treat his team to a refreshing outdoor practice.

“I thought that would be perfect,” Comley said. “So we went inside and started to get dressed and I said, ‘OK, boys, we’re going outside,’ and then nobody believed me at first.

“We got on that ice, and it was great. It was cold, but the kids had a ball.”

The ice sheet had no lines and just a mesh fence surrounding it, which soon filled up with some spectators.

“We skated about 40 minutes, and we didn’t even scratch the ice, that’s how good the ice was,” Comley said. “The ice was perfect.”

Movin’ on up

With the sweep of Alaska, the Spartans moved from No. 6 to No. 4 in the latest USCHO.com/CSTV Division I Poll released Monday. Fellow CCHA member Miami (Ohio) remained at No. 1 with 49 of the 50 first place votes.

So who stole that last first place vote from Miami? None other than the Spartans.

Michigan moved up from No. 3 to No. 2, while Notre Dame moved up to No. 12.