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Traverse City Bests U.S. National Under-18 Team, 4-1

November 2, 2007 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Traverse City used a three-goal first period and a 34-save performance from goaltender Matt Stephenson to defeat the U.S. National Under-18 Team, 4-1, Friday night at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Team USA outshot the North Stars by a count of 35-14 in the game and Kevin McCarey (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) chipped in his first goal of the season.

"We have to be more determined at the offensive net than we were tonight," said John Hynes, head coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team. "A lot of our shots came from the perimeter and we need to change that tomorrow night."

Traverse City tallied its first goal of the evening at the 2:30 mark as Tyler Stephens fired a low shot from the right point that beat Team USA netminder Michael Clemente (Great Falls, Va.) on the stick side. Jarrod LaBelle scored the North Stars' second goal on a breakaway at 5:55, and Ben Dykstra netted the final marker of the frame at 15:38.

Clemente kept the score at 3-0 in the final 1:30 of the period when he stoned Traverse City forward Clinton Bourbonais on a breakaway.

Team USA took control of the offensive play for much of the second stanza, as it filed a 15-1 edge in shots on goal. The best scoring chances for Team USA came near the midway point of the period during a 5-on-3 power play.

Just over five minutes into the third stanza, Team USA's Ryan Grimshaw (Rochester, N.Y.) and Traverse City's Joe Greener were given five-minute major penalties for fighting.

Team USA went on the power play 20 seconds later after Matt Hughes was called for charging. Kevin McCarey scored at the 7:17 mark of the period courtesy of assists from Colin Reddin (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) and Justin Florek (Marquette, Mich.). McCarey gained possession of the puck off a rebound in front, and then put a shot on his backhand past Traverse City goalie Brandon Stephenson on the glove side.

With 1:26 left in regulation, Team USA pulled Clemente to gain the extra attacker. The scoring attempt was quickly erased though, when Kellen Michalak tacked on empty-netter for the North Stars with 1:11 on the clock.

Traverse City was called for one more penalty at 19:25, but Team USA was unable to score again.

Stephenson improved to 3-3-2 for the North Stars. Clemente made 10 saves for Team USA, and saw his record fall to 1-1-1.

The North Stars went 0-for-3 on the power play, compared to Team USA's 1-for-7 mark.

The U.S. National Under-18 Team (5-7-1) meets Traverse City (7-4-1) again Saturday night at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

NOTES: Justin Florek tallied his second assist and third power-play point of the year ... Colin Reddin picked up his fourth assist of the season ... Three stars: 1) Brandon Stephenson, Traverse City; 2) Nathan Urbaniak, Traverse City; 3) Joe Greener, Traverse City.

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