[truebluefan]

Wildcats Battle with Roadrunners

The Wildcats were back home for three games this past weekend to take on the Santa Fe Roadrunners. These teams have met five times in the past nine days so the games had a playoff atmosphere. Santa Fe is currently tied for first place in the South Division and proved why this weekend, defeating the Cats in all three games. The Wildcats currently sit in 5th place in the NAHL South Division, but are only two points behind Fairbanks with one game in hand. With the top 4 teams in the South Division qualifying for the post season, it will be battle from now until the end of March.

Thursday night was one of grit and determination, and even though the Wildcats fell short in a shootout 4-3, they were able to pick up a point in the standings. The Cats hit the ice ready to play and took an early lead against the Roadrunners. Only 1:26 into the game Drew Harcharik and Mike Schumacher got the puck to Michal Hrtus who capitalized on the play and slid the puck past the Roadrunners goalie to give the Cats an early 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, the lead was short lived as Santa Fe was able to slide one past Heeter a few minutes later to tie the game, and would score another before the period was over to take the lead 2-1. The Wildcats came out strong again in the second period and only 2:00 minutes into the stanza, Captain Skylur Jameson scored a powerplay goal to once again tie the game. The Cats were able to take eight more shots on goal during the next eighteen minutes but were unable to capitalize; the Cats defense kept the Roadrunners to only three shots on goal during the second frame. As the game headed into the final period, Santa Fe scored at the 3:34 mark and took the lead again. Then, at the 6:01 mark, Adam Cardwell scored an unassisted goal to tie the game. Regulation play would end in a 3-3 tie and the game headed into overtime. Five minutes of overtime would pass and the score still remained tied; the winner of this game would be determined by shootout. After five guys had shot, Santa Fe scored three goals to our one and would walk away with a 4-3 victory.

The game started off well for the Cats as they once again got on the board first when Adam Cardwell scored the powerplay goal at the 18:13 mark and gave the Cats a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately the Roadrunners were able to strike back before the first frame had ended, and the game was knotted up at 1-1 after twenty minutes of play. Midway through the second period, Santa Fe was able to score and took the lead 2-1. The Cats answered back quickly though when Brett Morrell found the back of the net and scored his second goal of the season to tie the game. Santa Fe would slide one more past Heeter and take the 3-2 lead going into the second intermission. In the final frame the Cats took eleven shots on goal but were unable to capitalize. Cal Heeter was on top of his game saving 29 of the Roadrunners 32 shots. The last twenty minutes of play remained scoreless and Santa Fe would come away with another close win at a final of 3-2.

Saturday night was the concluding battle between the Wildcats and the Roadrunners. The Wildcats once again gave everything they had but were unable to capitalize on any opportunities thanks to a spectacular performance by the Roadrunners goaltender Nick Hopper. The Cats lost the game 2-0, while the Santa Fe net minder turned away all of the Wildcats 24 shots. Wildcats Head Coach Brian Meisner thought the team played well all three games. "We battled hard every night this weekend, so as long as we are working hard, good things will eventually happen."

The Wildcats next home game is Saturday, December 16 against their rival, the Texas Tornado. It is also the Wildcats annual Teddy Bear Toss. The stuffed animals will be sent to Iraq as part of the Toys for Iraqi children program. Also, for all those who bring a teddy bear, you will receive a voucher for a free post game skate, including skate rental, valid after any 2006-07 regular season game. The puck drops at 7:05 pm!

 

[truebluefan]

'Runners win streak climbs to six

[Wichita Falls, TX] - The Santa Fe Roadrunners continued their hot streak, completing a 3-game weekend sweep of the Wildcats in Wichita Falls.

The series began on Thursday evening, and as expected, the Wildcats came out on fire, scoring the first goal of the contest just 1:26 into the game. Santa Fe battled back to take the lead on goals by Ben Kinne (St. Paul, MN) and Jake Hutt (Menlo Park, CA), and held a 2-1 lead through 1. The second period saw Wichita Falls tie the game on a power play goal, the only goal of the period. In the third, a blue collar goal by veteran forward Brett Coley (Sterling Heights, MI) gave Santa Fe a 3-2 edge, but the Wildcats pounced on a turnover and scored a breakaway goal to tie the game at 3-3. After a scoreless overtime period, Santa Fe scored on 3 of 5 shots in the shootout while goalie Nick Hopper (Culver City, CA) allowed just 1 in 4 shots, and the Roadrunners claimed the 4-3 win.

On Friday, the Wildcats were just as fired up coming out, and again drew first blood, a powerplay goal late in the first. It only took :13 seconds for the Roadrunners to tie it back up, as defenseman Tommy Hill (Portage, MI) scored from the blue line. Tied at 1-1 after one, the Roadrunners again took a 2-1 lead on a rebound goal by Ben Kinne. Once again, the Wildcats tied it up at 2-2, but Santa Fe retook the lead shortly afterward, with Josh Kamrass (Atlanta, GA) drove home a powerplay rebound for the 3-2 lead late in the second. The lead would hold, as the Roadrunners eked out their second hard fought win in as many nights. Bryce Merriam (Pittsburgh, PA) posted his 3rd win since joining Santa Fe, and still sports a GAA below 1.000.

Saturday night, Nick Hopper went back to work, and all he did was post his league leading sixth shutout of the year, as Santa Fe earned a 2-0 win, on a first period goal by newcomer Jay Fifield (Eden Prarie, MN) and a second period goal by Tibor Kutalek (Skilica, Slovakia). Hopper turned aside a penalty shot in the 2nd period, along with 24 other shots for the shutout.

The weekend sweep moves Santa Fe back into a first place tie with St. Louis, who has dropped 3 straight. The Roadrunners will head north to Alaska for a 5 game swing, with 3 games in Fairbanks and two in Wasilla against the Alaska Avalanche. Santa Fe is 4-1-1 in games played IN Alaska in the last two seasons, and 7-1-2 vs the two Alaskan opponents so far this season, with all of this years games to date played in New Mexico. All the same, head coach Scott Langer expects the games up north to be a battle every night. "Fairbanks has such a great tradition there. The fans are incredible, and Proff (Ice Dogs coach Rob Proffitt) is going to have his guys ready to go. We can't just show up and expect to have success, we'll have to really be sharp. And the Avalanche are a team that plays a lot differently at home than they do on the road. We've got 5 games in 6 days up there. It's a great test for us, and the guys are looking forward to it".

FOR THE RECORD: The Roadrunners current six-game win streak is the longest in franchise history. (***) Ben Kinne saw his 9-game point streak end on Saturday night. 9 games is the season team record. (***) The game winning goal by Josh Kamrass on Friday was the teams 100th goal of the season. (***) The Santa Fe Roadrunners posted a total of 5 shutout wins in their first two seasons in New Mexico combined. This season, only 27 games into the year, Nick Hopper and Bryce Merriam have combined for 7 shutouts. (***)

 

[truebluefan]

Alpena returns home Wednesday

Alpena MI: After playing the last ten games away from Northern Lights Arena the IceDiggers final get to come home Wednesday and play in front of the hometown crowd versus the Traverse City North Stars. Face off is set for 7:00PM.

The IceDiggers finished their longest road trip of the season with a record of 7-3 and although it gave the team not only a measuring stick within the north division it gave the boys a chance to spend quality time together as a group.

But now they are happy to be back and ready to play in front of their fans and housing families. "It was a successful road trip in terms of wins and losses but for the guys it is going to be nice to play at NLA." stated head coach Kenny Miller.

Alpena will play Traverse City four straight times before the new year, aside from the exhibition game against the U-17 Sweden National team the North Stars will be the only opponent until the 2007 calendar year.

The IceDiggers currently sit 4 points behind first place Mahoning Valley, Alpena has one game in hand on the Phantoms.

For ticket information for all remaining home games as well as the exhibition games against Sweden please visit our website at Alpena IceDiggers Jr "A" Hockey.....Home or call VP/GM Bob Krafft at the main office at (989) 356-9812.

OTHER NEWS:

SCORING LEADER: Center Todd Rudasill continues to lead the NAHL in scoring with 49 points in 29 games, he is currently 8 points better than Fairbanks Kyle Schmidt who has 41 points.

ROSTER ADDITION: The IceDiggers also announced today they have acquired Jonathan Juliano from the Fairbanks IceDogs, the Clinton Twp. MI native appeared in 9 games with the IceDogs recording 3 assists. The left shot forward spent all of last season and the beginning of this season with the Traverse City North Stars where we played in a total of 72 games and scored 13 goals and added 27 assists. Last season Juliano led Traverse City in scoring in the playoffs with 7 points in 5 games.

INJURY UPDATE: The IceDiggers will be without the services of captain Nolan Craner, assistant captain Ricardo Yesue and veteran defensemen Korey O'Brien who are out with various injuries. "With these guys banged up other players will need to step in and make an impact, we have guys on the team able to do that." Miller said. All three players should be ready after the Christmas break.

EXHIBITION GAME: Tickets for the exhibition game on Wednesday December 27, 2006 at 7:00PM versus the Swedish U-17 National team went on sale to season ticket holders today and will also be available on Wednesday during the IceDiggers game versus Traverse City. Tickets will go on sale for the general public for the exhibition game on Friday inside the IceDiggers office.

 

[truebluefan]

Moreland Reaches Milestone, Echternach Earns POW Honors

Fargo (ND) The Fargo-Moorhead Jets Junior A hockey team is only in its fourth season of play in the North American Hockey League. Their history may not be deep, but what it lacks in depth is more than made up in substance with a list of accolades other, more established, teams would be envious of.

In four years, a few players have gone as far as to cement their name in local hockey lore with names like Phil Fox and Dain Prewitt. Last weekend, another FM Jet went a long way to ensuring his name was added to the list.

Matt Moreland (Grand Forks, ND) scored his 50th career goal with the FM Jets in the team's 6-3 win at Southern Minnesota Dec. 10, becoming the fifth player in team history to reach the milestone. Moreland joins Fox, Prewitt, Tom Dickhudt and Chris Myhro as the other players to hit that mark.

Since joining the FM Jets' in November 2005, the former North Dakota State Champion with Grand Forks Central, has been a intricate part of the team's success. He has scored three overtime game winners and went on an eight game goal scoring streak earlier this season.

"When (Matt) came back to us in October, he gave us the one more high-end player we needed to be very successful as a team" said head coach Chad Johnson. "His leadership has been essential."

Moreland began this season with the intention of playing for the University of North Dakota, but when that fell through at the last minute he came to the FM Jets on Oct. 13th. In 18 games, he is tied for second on the FM Jets' in points (25) and is second in goals (15).

The next closet current FM Jet to 50 goals is Jesse Echternach (Bemidji, MN) who has 28 career goals.

The franchise's all-time leader in goals is Phil Fox who finished his two-year career with 67 goals. Chris Myhro is second all-time with 55 tallies. Fox will play for Northern Michigan University, while Myhro is the leading scorer at the University of Connecticut.

Echternach Named Player of the Week

Though it was Matt Moreland who reached a milestone, Jesse Echternach (Bemidji, MN) actually had the most offensive production for the FM Jets last weekend. After getting shutout along with the rest of his teammates in a 3-0 home loss to Southern Minnesota on Dec. 8, Echternach exploded for five goals and two assists over the next two games to garner Central Division player of the week honors.

Echternach recorded two short-handed goals in the FM Jets' 4-3 loss at Alexandria on Dec. 9th. He then scored a hat trick at Southern Minnesota in the FM Jets' 6-3 win on Dec. 10th. Its Echternach's second hat trick of the season, and third of his two year career.

Echternach joins Moreland and Rob Johnson (Duluth, MN) as the other FM Jets who earned player of the week honors this season.

Echternach leads all Central Division players with 41 points and 19 goals.

Larson Has Solid Defensive Weekend

He doesn't have many stats to prove it, but second-year defenseman David Larson (Warroad, MN) easily had one of his best weekends all season. The defenseman played well in blocking many shots, cutting down angles and clearing the zone.

"He was our best defenseman last week" said assistant coach Aaron Kinslow. "We needed someone to step up after Friday and he most definitely did.

"Air the Bear" Teddy Bear Toss

Throwing items on the ice is typically a major "no-no" at a hockey game, but one game each season serves as the exception for that rule. The Fargo-Moorhead Jets Junior A hockey team will be holding their third annual "Air the Bear" Teddy Bear Toss promotion during their Friday December 15th home game at the Carlson Coliseum against the Alexandria Blizzard.

Face-off is scheduled for 7:35pm.

Fans should bring a new, or slightly used, stuffed animal to the game. When the FM Jets'

score their first goal of the game fans then throw their stuffed animal(s) on the ice where they are then collected. The stuffed animals will then be distributed to various non-profits in the Red River Valley including the Salvation Army, Ronald McDonald House and Lutheran Social Services

The charities would prefer if the stuffed animals are wrapped in clear plastic, though its not a mandate.

Consecutive Losses

The FM Jets' lost consecutive games for the first time this season with their losses on Dec. 8th and Dec. 9th. It took 26 games for the FM Jets to lose consecutive games this year, last season the team already had a pair of three-game losing streaks by now.

Central Division Standings

TEAM GP W L OTL PTS WPCT GF GA PIM HOME ROAD L-TEN STREAK Fargo-Moorhead 27 18 8 1 37 .685 94 72 613 12-6-0 6-2-1 6-3-1 1-0-0 Bismarck 30 12 12 6 30 .500 91 110 615 6-4-3 6-8-3 3-3-4 1-0-0 Southern Minnesota 29 14 14 1 29 .500 88 81 627 5-10-1 9-4-0 6-4-0 0-2-0 Springfield 28 13 12 3 29 .518 87 91 898 7-5-0 6-7-3 3-4-3 2-0-0 North Iowa 28 13 15 0 26 .464 81 100 798 7-9-0 6-6-0 6-4-0 1-0-0 Alexandria 27 9 17 1 19 .352 65 98 658 3-10-1 6-7-0 3-6-1 1-0-0

Last Week

Dec. 8 Southern Minnesota Express 0-3 Loss

Dec. 9 @ Alexandria Blizzard 3-4 Loss

Dec. 10 @ Southern Minnesota Express 6-3 Win

This Week

Dec. 15 Alexandria Blizzard 7:35pm

Dec. 16 @ Bismarck Bobcats 7:05pm

The FM Jets Junior A Hockey Club is in its fourth season as members of the North American Hockey League. The NAHL is the nation's largest Junior A hockey league and is now in its 31st year of operation. For more information, visit fmjets.com or call (701) 235-2354.

Jets home games are played at the John E. Carlson Coliseum in Fargo, ND. All games are broadcasted on Today's Hot New Country 103.9 THE TRUCK and audiosportsonline.com.

 

[truebluefan]

Texas Tornado update

Tornado return home Friday for Skate with the Tornado and Santa - It is one of the best nights all season long! The Texas Tornado return home on Friday, December 15th to face the Wichita Falls Wildcats at 7:30pm at the Dr Pepper StarCenter in Frisco. Tickets for the game are available by calling the Tornado office at 972-335-9800, or Purchase Tickets Online Now. Fans are encouraged to bring their skates because following the game, is the annual Skate with the Tornado and Santa. Join all the Texas Tornado players and Santa on the ice for a free skating session. Skate rental will be available for $3.00. The Texas Tornado and 105.3 FREE FM have teamed up for the game on Friday. Radio personality Dick Hunter will be at the game. For more information please visit 105.3 FREE FM's website.

Stuff your Stocking! A Tornado Holiday 6-Pack or Gift Certificates make the perfect gift - Jingle all the way to the next Tornado home game with the Texas Tornado Holiday 6-Pack or Tornado Gift Certificates available now at the Texas Tornado office. For as low as $67.00 for the 6-Pack, you receive: Six (6) tickets to any regular season Tornado home game of your choice, a Texas Tornado hat, a Texas Tornado team poster, and your choice of a mini-stick, puck, or mug. To order your Holiday 6-Pack today you can call the Tornado office at 972-335-9800, or send us an email. Texas Tornado Gift Certificates are available in $25.00 increments, and can be purchased at the Tornado office or at the next Texas Tornado home game on Friday, December 15th against the Wichita Falls Wildcats. Tornado and UPS team up for Toys for Tots - 78 The UPS Store locations in the Dallas "" Fort Worth area, in conjunction with the Texas Tornado, have teamed up with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to bring smiles to the faces of local children this holiday season. Now through December 23, The UPS Store will offer customers the opportunity to purchase Toys for Tots donation cards for $1 each, with all proceeds benefiting Toys for Tots campaigns in communities where the funds are raised. On December 15th fans are encouraged to bring an new, unwrapped toy or cash donation with them to the Texas Tornado game. In exchange for their gift, fans will receive a 2 for 1 admission voucher to the Texas Tornado home game on December 29th.

Tony Curtale Show, Wednesday, December 13th at 7:30pm at Boston's in McKinney - Join Texas Tornado Head Coach Tony Curtale for his monthly talk show at Boston's in McKinney. Hear about the Alaska trip, the upcoming games against Wichita Falls this weekend, and Tony's thoughts about the Tornado at the halfway point of the season. Representatives from the distributors of Pilsner-Urquell and Peroni beers will be on hand distributing complimentary samples.

Next Texas Tornado Home Game after December 15th... Friday, December 29th, 7:30pm vs. Wichita Falls Wildcats. KRLD Sports Central will be broadcasting live from the arena before and during the game! Celebrate the New Year with the Texas Tornado. Tickets are available by calling 972-335-9800, or Purchase Tickets Online.

 

[truebluefan]

Outlaws Defenseman to play for Team Germany in Upcoming World Juniors

Traveling across the Atlantic Ocean, leaving behind your family and friends, and entering a new world, new culture, and new lifestyle, all in pursuit of a dream; that's the life for some junior hockey players. For North Iowa Outlaws' Defenseman Chris Giebe, that is the exact reason he came over to the US, to play Junior Hockey and hopefully earn a college scholarship. In his first full season in the North American Hockey League, Chris is earning his time and getting recognition, but recently it was someone bigger then college that came calling for the services of the 6'4 blue liner. It wasn't a college, it was his country.

"They called me last summer to play in an exhibition against switerland," Giebe said. "They must have been pleased because they told me that they might call me again. Two weeks ago I got the call to play. It an great opportunity and an honor to be selected to a team like this. I'm very proud to represent my home country."

Giebe will join a select few from his homeland to wear the colors of the German Flag and skate against the best Junior players in the world at the 2006/2007 International Ice Hockey Federation's, World Junior Championships. The tournament is held every year with the location changing between the different nations represented. In late December, Giebe will head off to join his new teammates as they prepare for the tournament held in Leksand and Mora Sweden.

In addition to playing for Team Germany, Chris will live another dream, being coached by German Hockey Hero, and former NHL star Uwe Krupp. Uwe spent many years playing the in NHL and is the only German ever to win the Stanley Cup. Krupp is head coach of Germany's National team, but always helps with the Junior Championship team every year.

He's a legend over there, and we all grew up idealizing him," Giebe said of play for Krupp. "I never thought I would meet him, let alone have him as a coach. It will be an experience in itself and I'm sure I try and snag a few autographs for my teammates in Mason City."

Michael Pfuhl, technical director for the German Hockey Federation, said that the German's are in the toughest pool, but that doesn't mean they don't have a shot at the gold. He feels by adding Giebe to the blue line, his experiences playing hockey in the States could be an advantage when they face Team USA and Canada.

"Germany is ranked 9th out of the 10 teams participating in the World Championships, but this one of the best team's we've had in years," Pfuhl said of Germany's chances. "Chris is on of three players on our roster that is currently playing in North America. The style of Team USA and Canada is different, more physical then the European style so it's essential to have a few guys on our roster that have some experience against that type of team."

Besides Chris, Team German has another defender, Stefan Langwieder, who is playing with the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League and a forward, Felix Schutz, who plays for the St. John Sea Dogs, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Both are familiar with the North American style, Langwieder and Giebe are joining with eight other defenders in what hopes to be a tough wall to penetrate in front of their goalies.

"A good defense is going to be key for us," Pfuhl added. "Chris is one of our 'big guys' and we need some size on defense. He has a good shot and is a real sportsman. I know he'll give his all representing our country and that is what we wanted, kids with great character to wear the German colors."

Giebe is the only North American Hockey League player, besides a representative of the Team USA's Developmental Program, to be selected to play in the World Junior Championships. North Iowa's Head Coach Dave Boitz says that he'll represent the league and the team in a positive way.

"We're honored to have Chris play, and we're excited for him and the opportunity," Coach Boitz added. I think he'll do well. He's a good skater and a skilled player, but most of all he's very coachable and hard working. He's super deserving of this honor."

When Giebe suits up to play Team USA, he'll be stepping on the ice with 18 future NHLer's, including the number one overall draft pick from 2006, Erik Johnson. Other big names on Team USA include: Jack Skille of the NCAA Champion Wisconsin Badgers, and Ryan Stoa, Kyle Okposo, and goaltender Jeff Frazee of the number one ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers.

"I hope I get some exposure from this experience, but I know this will be an experience I will tell my grandkids about someday," Chris added. "To play those guys will be a big step up. It isn't everyday that you get a chance to compete against the best players in the world so I just going to try and make the most of it."

Team Germany opens play on December 26th with Team USA. On the 27th they play Slovakia, followed by Canada on the 28th and rounding out pool play with the host team Sweden on the 29th. In total, all teams play about six games as the tournament wraps up with the Gold Medal Match on January 5th, 2007.

 

[truebluefan]

U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team Travels to Michigan's Upper Peninsula for Division I Battles

THIS WEEK: The U.S. National Under-18 Team travels to Michigan's Upper Peninsula to take on the Northern Michigan Wildcats on Friday (Dec. 15) at the Berry Events Center in Marquette, Mich., before traveling to Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., to take on the Lake Superior State University Lakers on Saturday (Dec. 16) at Taffy Abel Arena.

U.S. HEAD COACH RON ROLSTON: Ron Rolston is in his third season with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. He has amassed a career record with the NTDP of 100-47-11-5. Rolston was an assistant coach in the collegiate ranks at Lake Superior State University, Clarkson University, Harvard University and Boston College prior to joining the NTDP. This December, Rolston will serve as the head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team that will compete in the 2007 World Junior Championship in Mora and Leksand, Sweden.

U.S. HEAD COACH RON ROLSTON ON THE WEEKEND AHEAD: "This is an important weekend to finish the first half of the season strong. It has really been a grind on the players with the schedule and travel, but we need to stay focused on the games this weekend before enjoying some well-deserved time off."

GAME NOTES -

Northern Michigan University Wildcats: The U.S. National Under-18 Team has never defeated the Wildcats. Northern Michigan currently holds a 2-0-1 edge in the all-time series. The U.S. National Under-18 Team lost 4-3 to the Wildcats last season ... U.S. National Under-17 Team forward Justin Florek (Marquette, Mich.) has verbally committed to play for the Wildcats in the 2008-09 season. Florek has compiled eight points (6-2) in 25 games with the U.S. National Under-17 Team this season.

Lake Superior State University Lakers: The U.S. National Under-18 Team has never lost to the Lakers, as Team USA holds a 1-0-3 advantage in the all-time series. The U.S. National Under-18 Team topped the Lakers 4-3 last season ... U.S. Head Coach Ron Rolston won two NCAA National Championships (1992, 1994) as an assistant coach at LSSU during his five-year tenure with the Lakers.

U.S. NATIONAL UNDER-18 TEAM NOTES: Team USA assistant captain Teddy Ruth (Naperville, Ill.) will miss his second-consecutive weekend of action due to injury. Ruth is expected to return to the U.S. lineup following the holiday break. Replacing Ruth on the blue line will be Ryan Grimshaw (Rochester, N.Y.) from the U.S. National Under-17 Team. Grimshaw is the first player from the Under-17 Team to appear for the U.S. National Under-18 Team this season ... U.S. forward James vanRiemsdyk (Middletown, N.J.) was named to the 2007 U.S. National Junior Team which will compete in the 2007 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior (Under-20) Championship in Leksand and Mora, Sweden, Dec. 26, 2006 - Jan. 5, 2007 ... The U.S. National Under-18 Team is 1-1-2 in four games versus unranked Division I opponents this season.

NTDP FLIP-FLOP: While the U.S. National Under-18 Team visits Marquette, Mich., on Friday night, the Marquette Rangers of the North American Hockey League travel to the home of the NTDP (Ann Arbor, Mich.) to take on the U.S. National Under-17 Team in a weekend series.

LAST WEEK: The U.S. National Under-18 Team topped the Williams College Ephs on Friday night (Dec. 8) by a 4-0 score. vanRiemsdyk led Team USA with two goals and Josh Unice (Toledo, Ohio) earned his second shutout of the season in goal for Team USA. Saturday (Dec. 9) was a much different story as No. 13 University of Vermont defeated Team USA by a 7-1 count. C.J. Severyn (Beaver, Pa.) scored the lone goal for Team USA.

UP NEXT: The U.S. National Under-18 Team will return to action on Friday, January 5 against NCAA Division I Princeton University in Princeton, N.J. Team USA will then take on Division III Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y., on Saturday, January 6.

NTDP ALUMNI UPDATE: Fifteen members of the 2007 U.S. National Junior Team, which was announced by USA Hockey on Tuesday (Dec. 5), have spent time with the NTDP, including Mike Carman (Apple Valley, Minn./2004-06), Jim Fraser (Port Huron, Mich./2003-05), Jeff Frazee (Burnsville, Minn./2003-05), Blake Geoffrion (Brentwood, Tenn./2004-06), Nate Gerbe (Oxford Mich./2003-05), Erik Johnson (Bloomington, Minn./2004-06), Jack Johnson (Ann Arbor, Mich./2003-05), Patrick Kane (Buffalo, N.Y./2004-06), Kyle Lawson (New Hudson, Mich./2004-05), Jamie McBain (Faribault, Minn./2004-06), Peter Mueller (Bloomington, Minn./2003-05), Jack Skille (Madison, Wis./2003-05), Ryan Stoa (Bloomington, Minn./2003-05), Bill Sweatt (Elburn, Ill./2004-05) and James vanRiemsdyk (2005-present) ... NTDP alumnus Kevin Montgomery (2004-06/Rochester, N.Y.) has left The Ohio State University to play for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. Montgomery recorded five points (1-4) in 17 games during his freshman campaign with the Buckeyes. In London Montgomery will join NTDP alumni Patrick Kane and Philip McRae (Chesterfield, Mo./2005-06).

ABOUT THE NTDP: Founded in 1996, USA Hockey's National Team Development Program was created to prepare student-athletes under the age of 18 for participation on U.S. National Teams and success in their future hockey careers. Its efforts focus not only on high-caliber participation on the ice, but creating well-rounded individuals off the ice. Located in Ann Arbor, Mich., the 46 players in the program are split into two squads - the U.S. National Under-18 and Under-17 Teams. In the eight years NTDP players have been eligible for the draft, 124 players have been selected, including the number one overall selection in both 2000 (Rick DiPietro) and 2006 (Erik Johnson).