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NAHL U.S. National Team

U.S. Nat'l U-18 Team Tops Southern Minn., 2-1, in OT

September 22, 2007 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


BLAINE, Minn. - David Warsofsky (Marshfield, Mass.) tallied a goal in overtime to lift the U.S. National Under-18 Team past the Southern Minnesota Express, 2-1, here tonight in the finale of the 2007 North American Hockey League Showcase. Team USA finished the Showcase with a 3-0-0-1 record.

"Tonight's game was an excellent test for us," said John Hynes, head coach of Team USA. "Our team showed a lot of poise, persistence and great composure throughout the game. This week really challenged us mentally and physically and I think we'll be a better team because of it."

With the score tied 0-0 after 20 minutes, Express defenseman Robby Spalding notched a power-play goal when he one-timed a snap shot past the outstretched glove of netminder Joe Cannata (Wakefield, Mass.) at 6:43 of the second stanza. Despite outshooting the Express in the second and third periods, Team USA was unable to muster a goal until late in the final frame.

With just 2:10 left in regulation and Team USA on the power play, Danny Kristo (Eden Prairie, Minn.) fired a wrist shot from the middle point that beat goaltender Nick Graves between the legs to tie the score and send the game to overtime.

At the 1:40 mark of the extra period, Warsofsky collected a rebound and fired a wrist shot past Graves to give Team USA the 2-1 victory.

Cannata made 24 saves in the winning effort.

The U.S. National Under-18 Team returns to action next weekend when it hosts NAHL North Division-foe Mahoning Valley (Ohio) Friday (Sept. 28) at 7:30 p.m. EDT and Saturday (Sept. 29) at 7:00 p.m. at the Ann Arbor (Mich.) Ice Cube.

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North American Hockey League Stories from September 22, 2007


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