USHL Sioux Falls Stampede

Stampede Dominate at BioSteel All-American Game

Published on January 17, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release


PLYMOUTH, MICH. - The Sioux Falls Stampede's three BioSteel All-American Game selections made a large impact on the ice during Team Blue's 6-2 win over Team White on Monday evening. Forwards Will McDonough and Sam Harris, as well as defenseman Zack Sharp, each tallied goals for Team Blue.

Team White was able to find the net first with a goal from Oliver Moore (F, USA 18U) off an assist from Joe Palodichuk (D, Fargo Force) just five minutes into the game. The Stampede's Sam Harris then answered back with an unassisted goal with just over six minutes left in the period.

The second period was dominated by Team Blue, which scored three goals that would go unanswered until the third period. Will Smith (F, USA 18U) was able to find the net on his own with just under nine minutes to go in the period. Following Smith's lead, the Stampede's Will McDonough tallied his own goal with an assist to Alex WeierMair (F, USA 18U). Not wanting to be the lone man out, Zack Sharp was able to round out the Stampede's scoring on an empty net drive with 42 seconds left in the period. Sharp was assisted by Eric Pohlkamp (D, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders) and ultimately marked the game-winning goal.

Scoring in the third period was split between the two teams with each scoring two goals. Team White started the period with a goal and assist from Zeev Buium (D, USA 18U) and Nick Vantassell (F, Green Bay Gamblers), respectively. Will Smith was able to score his second goal of the night during a penalty shot four minutes into the period. Scoring Team White's third and final goal, Vantassell found the net on the powerplay with assists from Buium and Palodichuk 8:48 into the period. Team Blue's Ryan Leonard closed out the game with an empty net goal, and the team's sixth goal of the evening, with 47 seconds left to play. Will Smith tallied his third point of the night on the play.

On the statistical leaderboard, Smith's two goals and assist earned him the top skater spot.

Team White marked three athletes with two points, Buium, Palodichuk, and Vantassell. For the goaltenders, Carsen Musser (USA 18U) stopped seven shots in his 20 minutes between the pipes for Team Blue. He marked a 1.00 save percentage and allowed no goals. Just behind Musser, Team White's Jacob Fowler (Youngstown Phantoms) marked a .923 save percentage and 1.96 goals against average in just over 30 minutes at goal.

There were more than 190 NHL scouts in attendance, and 45 players hoping to hear their names called at the NHL Draft this coming June in Nashville. The game serves as an important benchmark for evaluators to see how players perform against the best competition in their age group. In total, 58 first round draft picks and more than 265 players have been selected in the NHL Draft since the game's debut in 2012.

Rosters were made up of players from the U.S. National Under-18 Team of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program and the United States Hockey League, the lone Tier 1 Junior League in the United States.

The BioSteel All-American Game also represents and celebrates youth programs across the country. The 45 players participating hailed from 14 different states. Minnesota led the way with 12 representatives, followed by New York with six and Michigan with five. Illinois and Massachusetts each had four.

Check out the Sioux Falls Stampede Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from January 17, 2023


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