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NAHL U.S. National Team

U.S. National Under-18 Team Falls to Alexandria, 5-2

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


BLAINE, Minn. - Kenny Ryan (Franklin Village, Mich.) and Drew Shore (Denver, Colo.) each scored as the U.S. National Under-18 Team fell to the Alexandria Blizzard, 5-2, here tonight in its third game at the sixth annual North American Hockey League Showcase.

"I thought the team played hard, but made crucial mistakes in key parts of the game," said Ron Rolston, head coach of Team USA. "We're still learning that the margin of error between winning and losing hockey games is very small. We need to get the details right in order to be successful."

Alexandria jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Jerry Freismuth fired a slapshot from the right side that beat netminder Adam Murray (Anchorage, Alaska) at 10:20. With just 45 seconds in the period Garrett Grimstad doubled Alexandria's lead after tipping Taylor Vichorek's shot past Murray.

Ryan pulled Team USA within one when he streaked up the ice and fired a wrist shot past the blocker of goaltender Ryan Leets for a shorthanded tally at 11:42 of the middle frame. The Blizzard extended its lead when Brandon Bahnemann slipped the puck past Murray with just 20 seconds left in the second period.

Bahnemann tallied two goals in the third period to give the Blizzard a four-goal advantage. Shore scored with just 1:29 to play to account for the 5-2 final.

The U.S. National Under-18 Team returns to action tomorrow against the North Iowa Outlaws at 1:15 p.m. CST.

NOTES: Team USA out shot the Blizzard by a 27-17 margin ... Both National Team Development Program squads are participating at the NAHL Showcase. 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 19, 2008


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