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U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team Wins Offensive Exhibition, 7-3, Over UWS

December 15, 2007 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release

SUPERIOR, Wis. - The U.S. National Under-18 Team received goals from six different players, including four from its defensive corps, en route to recording a 7-3 victory over the University of Wisconsin-Superior Saturday night at Wessman Arena. Michael Clemente (Great Falls, Va.) and Nick Maricic (Alta Loma, Calif.) combined to make 29 saves in helping Team USA secure its third consecutive win.

"I was really proud of our effort tonight," said Tim Taylor, assistant coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team. "We were able to get scoring throughout our lineup, which was very encouraging. To be able to get two wins against quality college teams like UMD and UWS is a sign that this group is becoming the type of team we want it to be."

Team USA scored the first three goals of the contest, with the first two markers coming on the power play. Nick Pryor (Woodbury, Minn.) notched his second goal of the season at the 9:27 mark of the first period off assists from Jimmy Hayes (Dorchester, Mass.) and Sean Lorenz (Littleton, Colo.). Just over two minutes later, Ryan Hegarty (Arlington, Mass.) contributed his fifth tally of the year, thanks to helpers from Robbie Czarnik (Washington, Mich.) and Sam Lofquist (Faribault, Minn.). Czarnik added a shorthanded goal at 5:01 of the second stanza.

After Nate Rein put the Yellowjackets on the scoreboard at the 7:37 mark of the middle frame, Czarnik netted his second game-winner of the season barely a minute later for Team USA. David Wohlberg (South Lyon, Mich.) was credited with the lone assist on the play.

Team USA continued its offensive prowess with three more goals. Lorenz notched his second marker of the campaign at 19:22 of the second period courtesy of assists from Danny Kristo (Eden Prairie, Minn.) and Vinny Saponari (Powder Springs, Ga.). Hayes pitched in his second tally of the 2007-08 slate 32 seconds into the final session. Steven West (Milford, Mich.) and Patrick Gaul (Pittsburgh, Pa.) each assisted on the goal.

The home team received markers from Andrew MacKenzie and Eric Bausano in the final four mintues of the contest, but it was too little, too late, for UWS.

Clemente finished with 20 saves in 51:09 of action, while Maricic stopped nine shots in 8:51 of playing time for Team USA. Chad Beiswenger (10 saves), Peter O'Hara (13 saves) and Mike Rosett (eight saves) each played a period for the Yellowjackets.

The U.S. National Under-18 Team (13-12-1-1) will take a break from competition until the first week of January. Team USA resumes its NCAA schedule with a trip to Big Rapids, Mich., where it will play Ferris State University on Jan. 4 at Ewigleben Arena. The team returns to the Ann Arbor Ice Cube Jan. 5 to host Geneseo State University. Opening faceoff is slated for 7:05 p.m. ET against FSU and 7 p.m. ET vs. GSU.

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