MONARDO NAMED CCHA PLAYER OF WEEK
Former OJHL forward Domenic Monardo (photo courtesy of LSSU Public Relations), now captain of the Lake Superior State University Lakers, was recently named CCHA Offensive Player of the Week for his performance this past weekend.
The native of Oakville, Ontario played four seasons in the OJHL, beginning in 2005-06 as a member of the Collingwood Blues, where he would record 23 points in 48 games played as a rookie. The following season, Monardo was moved to his hometown, joining the Oakville Blades, where he would spend the next two seasons. After increasing his offensive output to 34 points in 2006-07, Monardo would start the next season on a tear, recording 17 points in 14 games, but would then miss the remainder of the season due to injury as the Blades went on to capture both the OJHL and Dudley-Hewitt Cup titles, while also competing at the RBC Cup, National Junior 'A' Championship. Monardo would finish out his Junior 'A' career with the Aurora Tigers in 2008-09, leading the team in scoring with 39 goals and 79 points, both also ranking in the league's top 20 overall. His play earned him a spot on the MacKinnon-Phillips All-Star Team, where he notched a goal and an assist during a 6-3 victory in the 2009 OJHL All-Star Game, as well as earning year-end Phillips Division Player-of-the-Year honours.
Below is the official press release from the LSSU Athletics website (www.lssulakers.com):
Lake Superior State earned three Central Collegiate Hockey Association Player of the Week awards after sweeping Alaska, 5-1 and 4-2, Feb. 15-16. Senior forward Domenic Monardo (16-11--27) was the Postgame Offensive Player of the Week, Matt Bruneteau (2-3--5) was the Gladiator Defenseman of the Week, and junior goaltender Kevin Murdock (9-01-0) was Warrior Goaltender of the Week.
Monardo, a native of Oakville, Ont., tallied two goals and was the Perini Cup first star during LSSU's 5-1 victory over Alaska Friday. Saturday Monardo netted his third goal of the series during the Lakers' 4-2 win. Monardo finished the weekend with 10 shots on goal and leads the Lakers in points and goals scored with 16-11--27.
Bruneteau, a native of Omaha, Neb., led LSSU's defense in points with a three-point weekend. He had an assist in the 5-1 win over UAF on Friday and notched the game-winning goal and an assist in the 4-2 win on Saturday. He totaled four blocked shots and finished +6 for the series.
Bruneteau's three-point weekend was the first time this season he tallied multiple points during a series. He is tied for second on the Lakers in game-winning goals with two.
Murdock, a native of Bradenton, Fla., faced double-digit shots on goal during the first (16) and third (21) periods Friday. His 21 saves in the third period are Murdock's season high in a single period this season. He totaled 46 saves and was named Perani Cup third star during the 5-1 victory over Alaska Friday.
Murdock is third overall and 10th nationally in save percentage (.934). Against CCHA opponents he is fifth in save percentage (.930).
