NAHL U.S. National Team

U.S. National Under-17 Team Splits With Mahoning Valley

Published on January 12, 2008 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


BOARDMAN, Ohio - The U.S. National Under-17 Team recorded two power-play goals, but Mahoning Valley posted a 6-2 victory in North American Hockey League action at the Boardman Ice Zone Saturday night.

After neither team scored in the opening period, a total of four goals were tallied in the second frame. Grant Blakey put the Phantoms ahead, 1-0, with a shorthanded marker at the 7:45 mark. Team USA jumped ahead by a count a 2-1 count, thanks to power-play goals from Jerry D'Amigo (Binghamton, N.Y.) and Ryan Bourque (Boxford, Mass.) at 8:57 and 13:07. Nick Mattson (Chanhassen, Minn.) and Beau Schmitz (Howell, Mich.) each chipped in assists on D'Amigo's goal, while Bourque's tally was unassisted.

From there, however, Mahoning Valley rattled off five unanswered markers. Derek Graham provided the equalizer with less than two minutes left in the middle stanza and Johnny Meo contributed the eventual game-winner 2:03 into the final period. Alden Hirschfeld then netted two goals and Miles Winter added another marker, to complete the Phantoms' offensive explosion.

Adam Murray (Anchorage, Alaska) recorded 32 saves for Team USA, compared to Jordan Tibbett, who stopped 22 shots for Mahoning Valley.

The U.S. National Under-17 Team (19-19-1) will compete in the Phantoms Hockey Showcase on January 18-21 at the Boardman Ice Zone in Boardman, Ohio. Besides Team USA, the Showcase will feature the other five teams from the NAHL's North Division - Alpena, Mahoning Valley, Marquette, St. Louis and Traverse City. Each squad will play four games over the four-day event. The U.S. National Under-17 Team challenges Alpena at 12 p.m. ET on Jan. 18 and 20, and plays Marquette on Jan. 19 and 21 at 4 p.m. ET and 1:30 p.m. ET, respectively.

Notes: Ryan Bourque notched two goals in his first two games with the U.S. National Under-18 Team this weekend ... Nick Mattson continues to lead Team USA's defensive corps with 15 points (1-14) ... Three Stars: Johnny Meo, MVY; Alden Hirschfeld, MVY; Derek Graham, MVY.

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North American Hockey League Stories from January 12, 2008


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