International Badgers

It's a huge week/end for international hockey. USA has teams in the U17 Four Nations Cup in Woodride, Il, the U18 Four Nations Cup in Sundsvall, Sweeden, the World Junior A Challenge in Penticton, British Columbia, and the Women's Four Nation Cup in St. John's N.L.

2012 Wisconsin recruit Nic Kerdiles (pictured) got the USA U17 team on the board Wednesday with a goal en route to a 6-1 victory over Switzerland. Kerdiles also notched a goal in the opening game, a 4-1 USA victory over Slovakia. The U17 team finishes up pool play on Friday night vs Russia.

2011 Wisconsin recruit Jake McCabe and the USA U18 team lost in an exhibition game to Sweden on Wednesday 3-1. McCabe did not record a point. The U18 team opens pool play Thursday morning against Finland at 8:30 AM CST.

There are no future Badgers on Team USA at the World Junior A challenge but there are four Wisconsinites playing for the red white and blue. Ohio State recruit Max McCormick (DePere), North Dakota recruit Jordan Schmaltz (Verona), Denver recruit Garrett Allen (Delafield), and Colorado College recruit Aaron Harstad (Stevens Point) are all in attendance. Team USA is 2-0 so far and will be playing in the Semi-Finals on Saturday.

At the Women's Four Nations Cup Team USA is off to a fast 2-0 start. The USA Women avenged a loss to Canada in the last Olympics with a 3-2 shootout victory to open the tournament. Badger senior forward Meghan Duggan had a goal and Badger Junior forward Hilary Knight scored the only goal in the shootout. Former Badger Jessie Vetter stopped 32 shots in the game plus all three shooters she saw during the shootout. Vetter was named the player of the game.

Meghan Duggan led the charge in game two vs Finland with two goals. Badger sophomore forward Brianna Decker had a goal and an assist and was named the player of the game for Team USA in the 4-0 victory. Hilary Knight chipped in an assist. The ladies are on the ice next on Friday vs Sweden. Former Badgers Molly Engstrom and Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej are also on the roster for Team USA.

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Craig Smith named to all tourney team

Craig Smith finished an impressive preformance in the Jr A Challenge w/ 2 assists helping Team USA beat Team Canada West 7-1 to win the tourney. Smith finished the tourney 3-5-8 and for his efforts was named to the all tournament team.

Justin Schultz comes away w/ the silver as a member of Team Canada West and finished the tourney w/ 2 assists.

This had to be a great experience for Craig Smith on the world stage. It appears he has made leaps and bounds as a player since last season, as I keeping stating I really looking forward to seeing the Madison native in Cardinal and White next Fall.

Craig Smith comes up huge in Jr A Challenge Win

Craig Smith continues to impress me this season, as captain of the US team at the Junior A Challenge, he notches 2 goals to help lead the US to a 5-3 victory of Canada East. Craig continues his scoring ways against Russia today, notching a goal and an assist to help lead US to a 8-2 victory.

Keep up the great work Craig, looking forward to seeing you in Cardinal and White 11 months from now.

Didn't see any game results for Canada West, if I (or 60 feel free to help) the post will be edited.

Camrose Badgers

This afternoon, Team USA lost to Germany 5-2. Craig Smith was held off the scoresheet. Next up: Canada East tomorrow @ 9PM CST.

Justin Schultz and Canada West will face Russian tonight at 9PM CST. I'll link up the results for you tomorrow.

World Junior A Challenge: Justin Schultz, Craig Smith

Yeah, I'm a day late on posting this. (Guess I must've been distracted by the Badger Men's victory over und.) If, like me, you weren't paying attention, let me point out that the World Junior A Challenge started yesterday in Camrose, Alberta.

And just in case you forgot, future Badger defenseman Justin Schultz in playing for Canada West, and future Badger forward Craig Smith is playing for Team USA. EDIT -- Gandalf indicates that Smith is the captain for Team USA.

Hockeycanada has the tourney schedule and results. Canada West is in Group A with Belarus and Russia and plays each of those teams once in the preliminary rounds. Yesterday, BLR defeated CAN W 4-3 in a shootout; Schultz was held off the scoresheet. CAN W faces RUS Tuesday at 8PM MST. Team USA is in Group B with Canada East and Germany. USA faces GER Tuesday at 4PM MST and CAN E Wednesday at 8PM MST. Quarterfinal play begins on Thursday.