NAHL U.S. National Team

U.S. National U-18 Team Tops Texas, 3-1

Published on September 20, 2007 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


BLAINE, Minn. - Goaltender Nick Maricic (Alto Loma, Calif.) made 29 saves to backstop the U.S. National Under-18 Team to a 3-1 victory over the Texas Tornado here tonight at the 2007 North American Hockey League Showcase.

"I thought this was a good start for us in the Showcase," said John Hynes, head coach of Team USA. "The guys were focused and they executed on the things we worked on throughout the week, plus Maricic was very solid in the net tonight."

Justin Florek (Marquette, Mich.) struck on the power play to give Team USA a 1-0 lead at 2:07 of the first period after he tapped a rebound past goaltender Thomas Callaghan. Team USA preserved the lead by not allowing a single shot on goal in the opening period.

In the second stanza, Colin Reddin (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) tipped Steven West's (Milford, Mich.) slap shot from the blue line past Callaghan to double Team USA's lead at 2:32. Sam Lofquist (Faribault, Minn.) added another power-play tally on a slap shot from the right point with just 23 seconds left in the period to give Team USA a 3-0 advantage.

Texas spoiled the shut out bid when Ben Miller one-timed a slap shot past Maricic at 7:30 of the final frame to account for the 3-1 final.

The U.S. National Under-18 Team returns to action tomorrow against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs at 3:15 p.m. CDT at the Schwan Super Rink.

NOTES: Patrick Gaul (Pittsburgh, Pa.) leads the U.S. National Under-18 Team with three points (1-2) through two games after recording an assist tonight ... Nick Maricic improved 2-0-0-0 on the season after the win ... All of Team USA's games at the 2007 NAHL Showcase will be broadcast live via the B2 Networks. A link to the broadcasts can be found on the National Team Development Program page at usahockey.com

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North American Hockey League Stories from September 20, 2007


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