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NAHL U.S. National Team

U.S. National Under-18 Team Defeats NAHL North All Stars, 2-1

February 19, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Behind a 27-save performance from Brandon Maxwell (Winter Park, Fla.), the U.S. National Under-18 Team recorded a 2-1 victory over the North Division All Stars in the final game of the North American Hockey League Top Prospects Tournament here today.

"I thought we received great goaltending from Brandon [Maxwell], and it all started with his effort," said John Hynes, head coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team. "We showed some maturity in finding a way to win against a strong opponent. Now our challenge is to build from this game as we get ready to play Robert Morris this weekend."

Ryan Hegarty (Arlington, Mass.) gave Team USA a 1-0 advantage at the 13:56 mark of the opening period with his sixth goal of the season. Danny Kristo (Eden Prairie, Minn.) provided the lone assist on the play. Hegarty sent a wrist shot from the slot past North Division All Stars' goaltender Garret Bartus on the stick side.

The North Division All Stars tied the sore at 1-1 at 18:09 of the first stanza when Jimmy McCusker beat Maxwell with a high shot from the slot.

Team USA regained the lead for good at the 5:29 mark of the third frame as Robbie Czarnik (Washington, Mich.) netted his 13th marker of the 2007-08 campaign, thanks to a timely feed from Kyle Palmieri (Montvale, N.J.). Czarnik buried a shot from right in front of the North Division All Stars' net. Nick Pryor (Woodbury, Minn.) added the second assist on the goal.

The visitors pulled goaltender Cal Heeter in the final minute, but Team USA held off an array of shots to preserve its one-goal win. Heeter finished with 13 saves in 28:13 of playing time after relieving Bartus, who stopped 12 shots in the first 30:47 of the contest.

The U.S. National Under-18 Team (21-17-1-4) this week, as it travels to Moon Township, Pa., for a matchup against Robert Morris University on Saturday (Feb. 23) at the RMU Island Sports Center. Opening faceoff is slated for 7:35 p.m. EST.

Notes: The U.S. National Under-18 Team has amassed a season-best six-game winning streak ... Robbie Czarnik contributed his third game-winning goal of the year ... Netminder Brandon Maxwell has been victorious in each of his three appearances with the U.S. National Under-18 Team this season ... The first annual NAHL Top Prospects Tournament was held at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube from Feb. 17-19 ... The South Division All Stars notched a 3-1 win over the Central Division All Stars in the other game on Tuesday ... The North Division All Stars and the U.S. National Team Development Program finished with 2-1 records in the event, while the Central Division All Stars and South Division All Stars each posted 1-2 marks at the tournament.

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