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NAHL U.S. National Team

Traverse City Defeats U.S. National Under-17 Team

February 27, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Buoyed by 36 saves from goaltender Brandon Stephenson, the Traverse City North Stars defeated the U.S. National Under-17 Team, 4-0, Wednesday night at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.

Team USA nearly lit up the scoreboard first with just under four minutes left in the opening frame as Kenny Ryan (Franklin Village, Mich.) had a great scoring chance on a breakaway. Stephenson pushed aside Ryan's shot on the glove side, however.

The North Stars opened up a 1-0 lead at the 17:51 mark of the first period, on the power play, when Garrett Thompson put a low shot from right in front of the net through the legs of Michael Clemente (Great Falls, Va.). Phil Wendecker gave the visitors a 2-0 advantage at 3:07 of the second stanza, after he poked the puck by Clemente in a near collision at the net.

Although Team USA did not get on the board in the middle frame, it wasn't for a lack of scoring chances. Cam Fowler (Farmington Hills, Mich.) and Jerry D'Amigo (Binghamton, N.Y.) each rang shots off the post, while Grant Scott (Sewickley, Pa.) laced a shot off the crossbar during the period.

Traverse City tacked on two additional markers in the third session, with the first coming off the stick of Nathan Urbaniak at the 16:51 mark. Jarrod LaBelle punched in an empty-net goal with 55 seconds left in the stanza to complete the North Stars' offensive output for the game.

Clemente finished with 29 saves for Team USA and his season record now stands at 7-4-1 as a member of the U.S. National Under-17 Team.

The U.S. National Under-17 Team (26-25-2) is off until next Tuesday (March 4) when it plays a rematch wtih Traverse City at Center Ice Arena. Opening faceoff is slated for 7:05 p.m. EST.

Notes: Team USA has completed the home portion of its 2007-08 regular-season schedule.

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North American Hockey League Stories from February 27, 2008


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