Ice Struggle on Special Teams in 5-3 Loss
October 3, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Indiana Ice News Release
It was a tale of missed opportunities as special teams proved to be the Indiana Ice's kryptonite while Team USA U17 capitalized on three of their eight power plays to top Indy 5-3 Thursday night at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.
Dwyer Tschantz, Jacob Pritchard and Brian Pinho all scored for the Ice while Vince Pedrie recorded a pair of assists in the contest.
The U17 squad set the tempo just under three minutes into the first period when forward Brody Stevens stole the puck at center ice, zipping it past Pawloski gloveside for his second goal of the season.
Indy had a short resurgence later in the first frame, fighting to even the shot count with five consecutive shots on net midway through the period. Shortly thereafter, Indy was able to capitalize as forward Pinho took the feed from Pritchard off the takeaway to knot the score at one.
Momentum from the shot count and goal quickly stalled when a slashing call created a power play opportunity for the Red, White and Blue. It took only four seconds for Noah Hanifin to make Indy pay for the penalty, retaking a 2-1 lead in the opening frame.
Both teams controlled portions of the middle stanza with Team USA covering Indy in the first few minutes of play. Momentum briefly shifted back to the Ice's favor, resulting in a score that pulled the visitors back within a goal.
USA once again capitalized on the power play to take 3-1 just over two minutes into the second period. Jack Ruslovic potted the goal for the Americans.
Tschantz answered right back three minutes later to draw Ice back within one. After stalling a USA advance, Tschantz took the puck up center ice, dished it to Scott Conway for the assist before battling in the crease for his third goal of the season.
Signs of life again showed up early in the third when Pritchard scored off a deflected shot from the point to knot the score at 3-3, but a pair of quick goals by USA finalized the score at 5-3.
Indy lines up with Team USA Friday night at 7:00 pm before returning home to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Saturday, Oct. 12 against the Youngstown Phantoms at 7:05 pm.
United States Hockey League Stories from October 3, 2013
- Ice Struggle on Special Teams in 5-3 Loss - Indiana Ice
- Ice, Team USA Start Two-Game Series Tonight - Indiana Ice
- Galt Commits to Nebraska-Omaha - Des Moines Buccaneers
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