Senior forward Curtis Loik is enjoying a hot start to the 2015-16 campaign, and with the Big Ten’s recent announcement, it’s clear his surprising play hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Big Ten awarded Loik with its First Star of the Week distinction for his three-point outing in the first period against Canisius. Penn State won the game 6-1.

Loik wasted no time against the Golden Griffins, lighting the lamp after causing a turnover and capitalizing off an unassisted snipe 93 seconds into the game. The instinctive senior forced another turnover 27 seconds later, this time deciding to dish the puck and assist on the team’s second goal. With six minutes remaining in the first period, Loik dished another helper, this one leading to a two-on-one break that put the Lions ahead 3-0.

It’s not every game you see a player record three points — let alone in the first period — making Loik’s accomplishment even more impressive. Loik tallied 17 total points all of last season.

Loik’s First Star honor is the first for the Nittany Lions since Casey Bailey earned the honor last season. Penn State will host Notre Dame in its home-opening series on Friday and Saturday.