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NAHL U.S. National Team

U.S. National Under-17 Team Tops Bismarck, 5-1, in NAHL Showcase Opener

September 17, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


BLAINE, Minn. - Austin Czarnik (Washington, Mich.) tallied two goals as the U.S. National Under-17 Team topped the Bismarck Bobcats, 5-1, here today at the sixth annual North American Hockey League Showcase.

"This was a good start to our season," said John Hynes, head coach of Team USA. "I thought we played intelligently and executed very well together as a team."

Team USA jumped out to an early lead on the power play at 6:28 of the opening period after Czarnik slipped a rebound under Bismarck netminder Tom Lescovich. Michael Mersch (Park Ridge, Ill.) doubled Team USA's lead when his wrist shot from the right faceoff circle hit the top right corner of the net just 37 seconds later. Czarnik potted his second power-play goal at 14:46 to give the United States a 3-0 advantage. Bismarck's Tom Kozlowski tipped a shot past U.S. goaltender Jack Campbell (Port Huron, Mich.) at 15:53 to cut the U.S. lead to 3-1, but Matthew Nieto (Long Beach, Calif.) followed a rebound and slid the puck in the net at 16:47 to put Team USA back up by three goals.

Both teams were held scoreless through the second period and Jason Zucker (Las Vegas, Nev.) fired home a shot from the right side of the crease at 1:06 of the third frame to account for the 5-1 final.

Campbell turned aside 22 of 23 shots in earning the victory for Team USA.

The U.S. National Under-17 Team returns to action tomorrow (September 18) against the Owatonna (Minn.) Express at 4:15 p.m. CST.

NOTES: Team USA outshot Bismarck by a 32-23 margin ... Both of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program squads are participating at the NAHL Showcase this year. It is the first time both teams have been at the event at the same time.

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North American Hockey League Stories from September 17, 2008


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