NAHL U.S. National Team

U.S. National Under-17 Team Rallies for 3-2 Overtime Victory To Open Round Two

April 14, 2006 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


Ann Arbor, Mich. -- The U.S. National Under-17 Team defeated Cleveland 3-2 tonight in overtime at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube to take a 1-0 series lead in the North American Hockey League's north division finals. Goaltender Josh Unice (Toledo, Ohio) was again solid in net for Team USA as he made three point-blank saves in overtime to improve his 2006 playoff record to 4-0.

The Cleveland Barons jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals at 17:40 of the first period and another tally just 1:53 into the second frame. After the two Cleveland goals the National Team locked down on the defensive end of the ice only allowing 10 shots for the remainder of the game.

Joseph Lavin (Shrewsbury, Mass.) began the Team USA rally as he put the National Team on the board with just 45 seconds remaining in the second period. Greg Squires (White Plains, NY) added an assist on the goal to record his third point of this year's playoffs. The tally brought the National Team to within one goal as it headed into the third.

Cleveland maintained its 2-1 lead for much of the third frame but the National Team carried the play throughout the entire period, out shooting the Barons 16-0. At the 14:24 mark Kevin Shattenkirk (New Rochelle, NY) evened the game at 2-2 as the offensive pressure finally resulted in a Team USA tally on the scoreboard. At the end of regulation the score was tied at 2-2.

To open the overtime session Cleveland had three quality scoring chances as Unice was forced to make pointblank saves on each of the Baron's three overtime shots. At the 2:59 mark of the extra-frame, USA defenseman Colby Cohen (Villanova, PA) sent the National Team crowd home happy as he deflected Lavin's blast from the point past the Baron's goaltender for the 3-2 victory. The win puts the U.S. National Under-17 team up 1-0 in the best-of-seven series versus Cleveland.

The north division finals will continue with game two tomorrow night when the U.S. National Team again hosts the Cleveland Barons at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Game time for tomorrow's contest is slated for 7:00 p.m.

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North American Hockey League Stories from April 14, 2006


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