May 19, 2013
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National Team Development Program Weekly Update

October 10, 2012 - United States Hockey League (USHL) U.S. National Team

U18 TEAM CONTINUES COLLEGIATE SWING: The U.S. National Under-18 Team continues its collegiate schedule with two games on the road this weekend. Team USA will first visit Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D., to take on the University of North Dakota. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:37 p.m. EDT on Friday (Oct. 12). The last time these two squads met, North Dakota skated away with a 2-1 win on Dec. 18, 2010. The next night (Oct. 13), the U18s take on Bemidji State University for the first time since 2009, when the Beavers earned a 6-3 victory over the U.S. Team USA will look to avenge that loss at the Sanford Center; puck drop is at 8:07 p.m.

U17 TEAM HOSTS CHICAGO FOR TWO: The U.S. National Under-17 Team returns home after a weekend on the road and will host the Chicago Steel for two home games at the Ann Arbor (Mich.) Ice Cube Oct. 12-13. Both games start at 7 p.m.

U18s BLANKED BY WISCONSIN, REBOUND AT NOTRE DAME: Hunter Miska (North Branch, Minn.) made 14 saves as the U.S. National Under-18 Team dropped its collegiate schedule opener, 5-0, against the University of Wisconsin on Oct. 6. Shane Eiserman (West Newbury, Mass.) led Team USA with four shots on goal, but the U.S. couldn't get the puck in the net. The following day (Oct. 7), Eiserman scored the lone goal in regulation for the U18s and Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.) turned aside 24 of 25 Fighting Irish shots as the two teams tied, 1-1, after 60 minutes of play. The University of Notre Dame eventually won the shootout in five rounds to earn the extra point. Anthony Louis (Winfield, Ill.) scored Team USA's only shootout goal.

U17s DROP CLOSE CONTEST WITH INDIANA: Dylan Larkin (Waterford, Mich.) and Sonny Milano (Massapequa, N.Y.) each scored one goal but the U.S. National Under-17 Team dropped a close contest to the Indiana Ice, 3-2, on Oct. 5. Indiana struck first with a pair of goals in the first period to take a 2-0 lead. Milano responded with the lone goal of the second stanza to pull within one goal. Jack Eichel (North Chelmsford, Mass.) and Ryan Collins (Bloomington, Minn.) recorded assists on the play. It was Collins' first point on the season. Indiana regained a two-goal lead at 4:14 of the final frame before Larkin answered back at 5:22. Ryan Hitchcock (Manhasset, N.Y.) collected the lone assist on the tally. Team USA would pull its goaltender with just over a minute remaining in favor of the extra attacker, but couldn't find the equalizing goal. Edwin Minney (Wind Gap, Pa.) made 26 saves for the U17s in the loss.

UNDER-18 TEAM NEWS/NOTES: A familiar face will join the U.S. National Under-18 Team this weekend for games against the University of North Dakota and Bemidji State University. Frankie Vatrano (East Longmeadow, Mass.) will fill a roster spot vacated due to injury. Vatrano, a forward currently slated to skate for the Boston Jr. Bruins of the Eastern Junior Hockey League, previously skated with the National Team Development Program from 2010-12, capturing first place at the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Under-18 Championship in the Czech Republic last April ... The U18s have four power play goals in 28 chances (14.3 percent) ... Team USA is killing off penalties at an 83.9 percent clip ... The U18s have outshot its opponents, 165-135, so far this season in six contests, and hold the advantage in total goals scored by four tallies (19-15).

UNDER-17 TEAM NEWS/NOTES: Forward Dakota Joshua (Dearborn, Mich.) will lace up his skates this weekend in the series against the Chicago Steel. Joshua comes to the U.S. National Under-17 Team from the Honeybaked Midget Minor program in Michigan ... Dylan Larkin extended his point streak to three games, notching one goal versus Indiana on Oct. 12. The forward has totaled five points (4-1) over the course of the streak, which dates back to Sept. 28. His four tallies are tied for second-most in the United States Hockey League ... Ryan Hitchcock has also compiled a three-game point streak after registering an assist against Indiana on Oct. 12. The forward has tallied one goal and collected three assists since Sept. 28 ... Brandon Fortunato (North Hills, N.Y.) is tied for third overall in the USHL in plus-minus ratings. The defenseman is plus-7 in three league contests ... Netminder Edwin Minney has turned aside 56 shots in two games to place him ninth in the USHL in saves made ... The U17s have three power play goals in 22 chances (13.6 percent) ... Team USA is killing off penalties at an 87.5 percent clip ... The U17s have been outshot 195-174 so far this season in six contests, but hold the advantage in total goals scored by two markers (26-24).

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United States Hockey League Stories from October 10, 2012


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