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NAHL U.S. National Team

U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team Skates to 5-2 Victory at Robert Morris

February 23, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - The U.S. National Under-18 Team received point contributions from nine different players, including two-goal performances from Vinny Saponari (Powder Springs, Ga.) and Jordan Schroeder (Prior Lake, Minn.), as it recorded a 5-2 triumph over Robert Morris University at the Island Sports Center Saturday night.

"We played a thorough, consistent game tonight," said John Hynes, head coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team. "Our effort was strong, and we stayed committed to our game plan. Now we have to use this momentum as we prepare for next week's game at Nebraska-Omaha."

Saponari lit up the scoreboard at the 5:06 mark of the opening frame when he banged in a rebound, while Team USA held a man advantage. Robbie Czarnik (Washington, Mich.) and Patrick Gaul (Pittsburgh, Pa.) notched assists on the play.

The Colonials knotted the score at 1-1, thanks to a power-play goal off the stick of David Boguslawski at 3:35 of the second stanza.

Team USA opened up a 3-1 lead later in the period, courtesy of goals from Saponari and Schroeder at 13:46 and 15:06, respectively. Saponari's even-strength tally was assisted by David Warsofsky (Marshfield, Mass.). Schroeder scored on the power play off helpers from Warsofsky and Colin Moore (Medfield, Mass.).

Boguslawksi netted Robert Morris' final marker of the contest at the 17:13 mark of the frame.

The U.S. National Under-18 Team added another goal to close the middle period as David Wohlberg (South Lyon, Mich.) made good on a breakaway opportunity just before the clock ran out.

Schroeder tacked on his second marker of the evening with 4:54 left in the third session. Jeremy Morin (Auburn, N.Y.) and Ryan Hegarty (Arlington, Mass.) each handed out assists on the goal.

Team USA goalkeeper Joe Cannata (Wakefield, Mass.) improved to 11-12-2 on the year after turning aside 17 of the 19 shots he faced. RMU's starting netminder, Wes Russell, made 16 saves in 40 minutes of action, while Jim Patterson stopped 10 shots in one period of play.

The U.S. National Under-18 Team (22-17-1-4) travels to Omaha, Neb., for a matchup with the University of Nebraska-Omaha next Friday (Feb. 29) at the Qwest Center. Opening faceoff is set for 8:05 p.m. EST.

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