USHL U.S. National Team

National Team Development Program Weekly Update

Published on March 7, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


UNDER-17 TEAM LOOKS TO REBOUND AT HOME: The U.S. National Under-17 Team returns home to the Ann Arbor (Mich.) Ice Cube on Friday (March 9) for a 7 p.m. EST showdown with the Lincoln Stars. This is the only game between the two squads this season. The following afternoon (March 10), Team USA skates against the Chicago Steel at 3 p.m. EST. The U.S. is looking for its first win over the Steel this season, having posted a 0-1-1 (W-L-OTL) record in two games.

UNDER-18 TEAM FACES THREE GAMES IN FIVE DAYS: The U.S. National Under-18 Team begins a three-game home stand tonight (March 7) at 7 p.m. EST when the Muskegon Lumberjacks visit the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. This is only the second meeting between the U18's and its in-state rival. Team USA won the previous meeting, 3-2, at home on Dec. 17. On Saturday (March 10), the Youngstown Phantoms take on the U.S. at 7 p.m. EST. Team USA won its only previous encounter with the Phantoms, 7-2, on Sept. 16. The weekend concludes on Sunday (March 11) with a matinee game against the Chicago Steel. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EST. Team USA is 1-0-0 (W-L-OTL) against the Steel this season, winning at The Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, Ill., 4-1, on Dec. 3.

U17's LOSE TWO TO YOUNGSTOWN ON ROAD: Three different players scored for Team USA, but the U.S. National Under-17 Team was outpaced by the Youngstown Phantoms, 6-3, on March 2 at the Covelli Centre. The following night (March 3), Hudson Fasching (Burnsville, Minn.) netted one goal, but the Under-17 Team was downed by the Youngstown Phantoms, 6-1, in the rematch at the Covelli Centre against its United States Hockey League rivals.

U18's DROP CLOSE CONTEST TO GREEN BAY: Stefan Matteau (Chicago, Ill.) scored two goals, but the U.S. National Under-18 Team was upended by the Green Bay Gamblers, 3-2, at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube on March 1. Collin Olson (Apple Valley, Minn.) made 30 saves for Team USA in the loss. The U.S. held a 2-0 lead heading into the final frame before surrendering three straight goals to the top team in the USHL.

UNDER-17 TEAM NEWS/NOTES: Hudson Fasching has five points in his last five games dating back to Feb. 20. The forward has tallied two goals and added three assists in that span ... Forward Miles Koules (Los Angeles, Calif.) is on a three game point streak (2-1) dating back to Feb. 25 ... Hunter Miska (North Branch, Minn.) is ranked 20th in goals-against-average (3.66) in the USHL.

UNDER-18 TEAM NEWS/NOTES: Forward Ryan Hartman (West Dundee, Ill.) is on a two game point streak (1-2) dating back to Jan. 21 and has five points (2-3) in his last four games, including the game-winning tally on Jan. 19 against Dubuque ... Defenseman Jacob Trouba (Rochester, Mich.) is on a two game point streak (1-1) dating back to Jan. 21 and has six points (2-4) in his last five games, including two power-play markers. He is also a plus-5 in those contests ... Forward Frankie Vatrano (East Longmeadow, Mass.) is on a five game point streak dating back to Jan. 14. He has three goals and three assists during that span and has recorded a plus-5 rating in those games.

NTDP TO HOST STAR WARS NIGHT: When the U.S. National Under-18 Team takes on the Youngstown Phantoms on Saturday (March 10) at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube, Star Wars characters will be on hand to meet with fans. Commemorative patches and lightsabers will also be sold to help benefit Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor.

NTDP ALUMNI UPDATE: Miami University forward Austin Czarnik (Washington, Mich./2008-10) and University of Notre Dame defenseman Robbie Russo (Westmont, Ill./2009-11) were named to the 2012 Central Collegiate Hockey Association All-Rookie Team as determined by a vote of the conference's head coaches ... Patrick Kane (Buffalo, N.Y./2004-06) scored the game-winning tally in a 2-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on March 4. The Chicago Blackhawks forward now has three goals and one assist in his last five games dating back to Feb. 26 ... Florida Panthers forward Jack Skille (Madison, Wis./2003-05) had two points (1-1) in a 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators on March 4 ... Colorado Avalanche forward Peter Mueller (Bloomington, Minn./2003-05) assisted on both goals in a 2-0 victory over the Minnesota Wild on March 4 ... St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (New Rochelle, N.Y./2005-07) had one goal and one assist in a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on March 3. Coupled with a two assist performance on March 6 against the Chicago Blackahwks, he now has eight points (2-6) in his last five contests dating back to Feb. 27 ... Detroit netminder Jimmy Howard (Ogdensburg, N.Y./2001-02) stopped all 19 shots he faced to earn his sixth shutout in a 6-0 win over Minnesota on March 2.

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2012


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