NAHL U.S. National Team

U.S. National Under-18 Team Falls To Rochester Institute Of Technology

Published on January 27, 2006 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Division I Rochester Institute Technology dropped the U.S. National Under-18 Team, 8-5 in exhibition action tonight at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.

RIT's offense came out of the gate strong tonight with four goals in the first 16:47 of the game. USA fought back with two goals in the final 31 seconds of the first frame to cut the RIT lead to two at 4-2. Patrick Kane (Buffalo, N.Y.) scored both for the U.S., the first coming from Erik Johnson (Bloomington, Minn.) on the power-play and the second on a great play from Chris Summers (Milan, Mich.) and Michael Carman (Apple Valley, Minn.) in front of the Tigers net.

USA cut the Tigers lead to one 6:31 into the second period on Kane's thrid goal of the night for a natural hat-trick. Kane, Carman and Mike Ratchuk (Buffalo, N.Y.) came down on a three-on-two, Ratchuk fed Kane who deeked out Tigers goaltender Jocelyn Guimond to make the game 4-3.

In the third period, Blake Geoffrion (Brentwood, Tenn.) finished a three-on-two rush to tie the game at four 1:59 into the third period. RIT replied 39 seconds later on a goal from Tristan Fairbarn to give the Tigers a 5-4 advantage. The Tigers lead stretched to three six minutes later when Brad Harris beat USA goaltender Brett Bennett (Williamsville, N.Y.). The Tigers tallied again 11 seconds later on a goal from Rob Tarrantino to break the game open at 7-4. Kane scored his fourth of the night for Team USA five minutes later on the power-play from Johnson and Nigel Williams (Aurora, Ill.) to make it a two-goal game again at 7-5. Matt Smith sealed Team USA's fate with an empty-net-goal with nine seconds remaining.

"We didn't come out with the passion and energy that we needed tonight against a tough RIT team," said USA Head Coach John Hynes. "We need to re-group overnight and come prepared for another battle tommorow night."

These two teams will re-match tomorrow night at 7 p.m. here at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. The game will be the second half of a USA Hockey National Team Development Program double-header. In the first game, the U.S. National Under-17 Team will take on the Alpena Ice Diggers of the North American Hockey League.

NOTES: Tomorrow (Jan. 28) is Hockey Day in Michigan. The NTDP will take part by offering $1.00 admission to both games tomorrow for all kids who wear a hockey jersey. For more information on Hockey Day in Michigan log-on to our website at www.usahockey.com.

Check out the U.S. National Team Statistics

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North American Hockey League Stories from January 27, 2006


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