MSU's Lerg gains national monthly honor

Michigan State University sophomore goaltender Jeff Lerg, who backstopped the Spartans to their first NCAA Division I national championship since 1986, is the CSTV: College Sports Television/Hockey Commissioners’ Association National Division I Player of the Month for March/April.

Lerg, from Livonia, blocked 203 of 221 shots (.919) with a 2.24 goals-against average in March/April, including a 29-save performance in a 3-1 victory over Boston College on April 7th to give the Spartans their third NCAA Division I national championship.

A two-time HCA Rookie of the Month last season, Lerg allowed only five goals on 110 shots (.954) during Michigan State’s four-game run in the NCAA Tournament. Lerg blocked 29 shots in a 4-2 win over Maine in the semifinals and combined for 46 saves in wins over Boston University, 5-1 on March 23, Notre Dame, 2-1 on March 24, en route to earning Midwest Regional MOP honors.

The 5-foot-6, 155-pound Lerg started all 42 games this season and played 2,465 minutes for the Spartans, the second most in the nation, while posting a 26-13-3 record. He finished the season with a 2.41 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.