NAHL U.S. National Team

U.S. National Under-18 Team and Nebraska-Omaha Play to 3-3 Draw

Published on February 29, 2008 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


OMAHA, Neb. - The U.S. National Under-18 Team erased a two-goal deficit en route to earning a 3-3 overtime tie against the University of Nebraska-Omaha Friday night at the Qwest Center.

"We battled back hard after a bit of a tough start," said John Hynes, head coach of the U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team. "I was pleased with how the guys responded to the adversity they faced tonight. We need to keep playing with that type of urgency as we prepare for international competition in April."

The Mavericks scored two goals in the first period, the first of which was a power-play tally off the stick of Bill Bagron, at the 3:18 mark. Jeric Agosta added a shorthanded marker for UNO at 13:23 of the frame.

Team USA answered with back-to-back goals of its own in the second stanza. Vinny Saponari (Powder Springs, Ga.) netted his 13th tally of the year at 6:37 off assists from Robbie Czarnik (Washington, Mich.) and Jeremy Morin (Auburn, N.Y.). Fifty seconds later, Colin Moore (Medfield, Mass.) lit up the scoreboard for the fifth time this year, while the squad was shorthanded.

After Mick Lawrence allowed the home team to regain the lead at the 10:55 mark of the middle session, Czarnik tallied what proved to be the game-tying goal for Team USA less than three minutes later. The marker was Czarnik's 14th of the season, and second point of the night. Ryan Bourque (Boxford, Mass.) handed out the lone assist on the play.

Each team posted 11 shots in the final 25 minutes of play, but neither club could gain the go-ahead goal.

Team USA goalkeeper Joe Cannata (Wakefield, Mass.) saw his record move to 11-12-3 on the year after turning away 27 of the 30 shots he faced. UNO netminder Eric Aarnio stopped 33 shots for the Mavericks.

The U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team (22-17-2-4) returns to North American Hockey League action on Sunday (March 2) when it hosts the Alpena IceDiggers at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Puck drop is set for 3 p.m. EST.

Notes: Team USA is in the midst of a season-best eight-game unbeaten streak (7-0-1) ... The U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team finished with an 8-12-2-2 record vs. NCAA Division I teams this year ... Team was unbeaten in three of it last four contests against NCAA Division I competition ... Robbie Czarnik (one goal, one assist) pushed his season point total to 28 (14-14) ... Vinny Saponari (one goal) now has 29 points (13-16) on the year ... Colin Moore (one goal) compiled his first shorthanded marker, and Team USA's third shorty of the 2007-08 slate ... Jeremy Morin (one assist) has chipped in 17 points (9-8) in 12 games with the U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team ... Ryan Bourque (one assist) has totaled seven points (2-5) in 11 games with the U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team.

Check out the U.S. National Team Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



North American Hockey League Stories from February 29, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central