NAHL U.S. National Team

U.S. National Under-18 Team Drops 3-2 Decision to Wichita Falls in OT

Published on September 18, 2008 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


BLAINE, Minn. - Chris McCarthy (Collegeville, Pa.) and Kenny Ryan (Franklin Village, Mich.) each scored as the U.S. National Under-18 Team fell to the Wichita Falls Wildcats, 3-2, in overtime here tonight in its first game at the North American Hockey League Showcase.

"The NAHL is a tough league and you have to show up to play every night," said Ron Rolston, head coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team. "We just weren't able to execute, and that cost us tonight."

Team USA jumped out to an early lead at 3:24 of the opening stanza when Ryan converted on a Ryan Bourque (Boxford, Mass.) pass. Ryan one-timed a shot from the middle crease just under the glove of netminder Mike Jarboe.

The score remained 1-0 until Wichita Falls' Brett Hartung fired a one-time shot that beat goaltender Adam Murray (Anchorage, Alaska) over the glove just 49 seconds into the third frame. McCarthy put the U.S. ahead 2-1 after chipping in a pass from Kevin Lynch (Grosse Pointe, Mich.). Thomas Erlacher evened the score on the power play at 16:46 of the final stanza.

With the score tied 2-2, at the end of regulation, the game went to overtime. Erlacher tallied the game-winning goal with just 50 seconds left to play in the extra frame after he slid the puck past a sprawling Murray on the power play.

The U.S. National Under-18 Team returns to action tomorrow against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs at 8:30 p.m. CST.

NOTES: Team USA out shot Wichita Falls by a 42-22 margin ... Both National Team Development Program squads are participating at the NAHL Showcase this year. It is the first year both teams have been at the event at the same time.

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North American Hockey League Stories from September 18, 2008


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