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3-2 Cleveland Win Ends U.S. National Under-17 Team's Season

April 28, 2006 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The U.S. National Under-17 Team's season came to an end tonight when the Cleveland Barons topped Team USA 3-2 tonight at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube in game seven of the 2006 North American Hockey League's North Division Finals.

Cleveland opened the scoring 6:12 into the game when Ryan Ward deposited a loose puck in front of the U.S. net past netminder Josh Unice (Toledo, Ohio). Although Team USA trailed after one, the U.S. out shot the Barons 13-6 in the first frame.

In the second period, Cleveland extended its lead to two when Joe Greener scored 3:29 into the period by burying another loose puck in the Team USA crease past Unice. The Cleveland lead stretched to three 5:06 later in the period on a goal from Eric Rex, scored similarly to the first two deep in the U.S. zone.

Team USA struck back 1:23 later in the second period when Brennan Vargas (Coon Rapids, Minn.) tipped a Ted Ruth (Naperville, Ill.) wrist shot from the point to cut the Barons lead to two at 3-1.

Team USA pressured the Barons throughout the third period, outshooting the Barons 12-3 in the final frame. Cleveland forward Tomas Petruska took a checking from behind penalty with 2:37 and U.S. Head Coach Ron Rolston pulled Unice to give the U.S. the 6-4 advantage. Justin Vaive (Buffalo, N.Y.) crashed the Barons net and knocked in a rebound to cut the Cleveland lead to one with only 2:05 remaining in the game. Vaive's goal was all that Team USA could muster in the final minutes and Cleveland ended the U.S. National Under-17 Team's run at the 2006 Robertson Cup.

"We gaiuned some great experience (in the playoffs) and faced a tough Cleveland team here in the finals," said Rolston. "Cleveland had a great season and they deserve to represent the north division in the nationals."

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North American Hockey League Stories from April 28, 2006

Robertson Cup field set as Barons, Icedogs round out tournament teams - NAHL
3-2 Cleveland Win Ends U.S. National Under-17 Team's Season - U.S. National Team
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