USA U17's McCabe, Schmaltz, Fiala Win GOLD!!!!

Press Release From Hockey Canada

TIMMINS, Ont. – For the first time since 2002, the United States is on top of the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Reid Boucher (Michigan State commit) set up Tyler Biggs (Miami commit) for the game’s opening goal early in the second period and Biggs returned the favour on Boucher’s game-winner in the first minute of the third as the United States ended a two-game losing streak in the gold medal game with a 2-1 victory over Ontario on Monday night.

The U.S. won its first U17 title since claiming the second of back-to-back golds in 2001 and 2002. It lost in the gold medal game in 2006 and 2008 – the 2008 game to Ontario. The win also made the Americans just the third team to win three U17 golds; Ontario leads with seven, and Quebec has also won three.

The game was a goaltender’s duel from the start; despite 21 shots on goal in the opening period (11-10 in favour of the United States) netminders Tyson Teichmann of Ontario and John Gibson of the U.S. kept the game scoreless through 20 minutes.

Boucher finally broke the goose egg 1:51 into the second period, snapping a shot past Teichmann, but the middle frame was also owned by the goaltenders – Boucher’s goal was the only one of 25 shots to beat Teichmann and Gibson.

Just as it did in its tournament-opening loss to Finland, Ontario owned the third period, outshooting the U.S. 19-6, but not before Biggs sent a shot far side on Teichmann to double the American lead just 31 seconds into the period.

Gibson and the American shut the door from there, although a goal from Daniel Catenacci with just one second remaining gave the pro-Canadian crowd of more than 2,000 at McIntyre Arena something to cheer about late, and ruined Gibson’s shutout bid.

The loss ended Ontario’s gold medal game winning streak at three – it had not lost the final game at a U17 tournament since 2000, when it lost to Russia in, ironically, Timmins.

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PS...Sue me if it's illegal to blog like this. Your not going to win much money.

USA U20's and U17's Beat Sweden, Gold Medals Next?

Crazy night for USA Hockey. Both the U17 squad and the U20 squad played Sweden in semi-final games at their respective world tournaments.

Starting with the U17 squad, all I can say is wow, what a game. I really wish I could have seen this game live.

Team USA came out with all cylinders firing and built a 4-0 lead mid-way through the second period thanks to a goal and two assists by Rocco Grimaldi (uncommitted), and goals by Reid Boucher (Michigan State commit), Ryan Haggerty (uncommitted), and Tyler Biggs (Miami commit). Wiscosin commit Jake McCabe (pictured) had an assist on Grimaldi's goal in the second period.

I'm not sure what Sweden's coach said after the fourth USA goal to his players, but something clicked. Sweden scored five consecutive goals to make it 5-4 Sweden with 3:15 to play in the contest.

Thanks to a clutch goal by J.T. Miller (uncommitted), Team USA tied the game up with :50 seconds left to play. With the momentum on their side, Reid Boucher (Michigan State commit) was able to bury his second goal of the game and send Team USA to the Gold Medal game Monday night vs Team Ontario at 6PM Central Time.
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The U20's, who obviously also played Sweden, were able to upset the prospect laden team from overseas 5-2.

The United States broke up the goaltender rotation of Mike Lee (St. Cloud State) and Jack Campbell (US NTDP U18) by starting Mike Lee once again after his win in the quarter-final game against Finland. Lee was up to the challenge and stopped 27 of 29 shots in the victory. Expect to see Lee once again in the Gold Medal game.

Jerry D'Amigo (RPI, pictured) was the offensive star for the USA in last nights game. The top line of D'Amigo, Derek Stepan (Wisconsin), and Danny Kristo (North Dakota) once again caused havoc for the opposition. D'Amigo was able to net two goals including the game tying goal, and one to put the game out of reach.

The win was huge for the United States and was actually a first of sorts. Since the World Junior Championships has gone to the current formula of having the top team from each pool get a bye to the semi-finals, the United States has never reached the gold medal game if they were forced to play in the quarter final game.

The game Tuesday night will mark the first time that the United States has played for Gold since their championship upset in 2004 over Canada. The 2004 win was also the only Gold Medal ever won by the United States in the World Junior Championship. Team USA won one silver medal at the tournament. That came in 1997 when a Mike York led USA squad lost to Canada in the title game.

Wisconsin forward Derek Stepan still leads the tournament in scoring with 12 points in 6 games.

The Gold Medal game is Tuesday night and can be seen live on the NHL Network.

International Badgers: U17's Win, U20's Lose

I'll start with the loss by the U20 squad. First of all I just wanted to say that this was such a fun game to watch and is what hockey is all about. Speed, passion, and pride were on full display during this contest. I didn't get to watch this as closely as I would have liked because I was at a New Years party watching the game but from what I did see it was great hockey.

Unfortunitly, Team USA fell to Canada 5-4 in a shootout. Derek Stepans line, with him on the pivot and Danny Kristo and Jerry D'Amigo on the wings was absolutely outstanding last night. They had pressure the whole night and continued to cause confusion for Team Canada. Stepan had an assist on an early third period goal by Kristo.

USA held a 4-2 lead in the third period but could not hold on. The high powered Canadians continued to attack and were able to score two third period goals to force overtime and an eventual shootout. In the shootout Canada scored on all three attempts. Team USA sent out Kristo and Jeremy Morin first and second and they both scored. With the game on the line Team USA sent out Jordan Schroeder to try and keep the game alive, and not surprisingly, the Gopher choked and USA lost.

Next, Team USA will play Finland in the quarterfinals tomorrow (Saturday) at 8 PM Central Time. You can watch the game live on the NHL Network.
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The U17 United States squad had a better outcome last night. The young American squad bested the Russians 7-3 in the World U17 Challenge. Uncommitted forward Rocco Grimaldi is having an absolute beast of a tournament and from all accounts has been the best player at the tournament so far.

According to the USA Hockey Website, The U.S. will take on Canada-Pacific Saturday at 7 p.m. in Kirkland Lake, Ont., with a chance to clinch first place in Group B.

Schmaltz, McCabe, Fiala Playing In World U17 Challenge

I was going to post about this a few days ago but things came up and I was running short on time. The USA National Team Development Program is playing in the U17 World Challenge this week in Timmins, Ontario. This tournament is obviously overshadowed by the U20 World Junior Championships but we'll try to get you as much coverage as possible.

Committed recruit Jake McCabe, who has been with the NTDP all season long is obviously playing. The surprise, is that 2012 committed recruit Jordan Schmaltz was invited for the tournament. Schmaltz, who was snubbed from the NTDP tryouts last spring has been playing midget hockey for the Chicago Mission this season. Schmaltz did spend a short two game stint with the Sioux City Musketeers who own his rights.

Joe Fiala, who like Schmaltz is from Verona, has also been invited to play in the tournament. Fiala was taken late in the OHL Priority Selection but probably will go the college route. He's currently a junior and plays for Verona's high school team along with Team Wisconsin Majors. Fiala is currently not committed to a school but you would have to assume that the Badgers would have strong interest. .Schmaltz and Fiala are only two of three players from outside of the NTDP to be invited. The other player is a forward named Austin Wuthrich who plays for Team Illinois but is from Anchorage, Alaska.

Team USA pounded the Canadian-Atlantic team in the opener of the tournament 7-0. Schmaltz had a goal right at the end of regulation. McCabe was scoreless. Yesterday the United States beat the Czech Republic 3-2.

The United States next game will be tonight at 6:00 PM against the communist Russians. You can follow team USA at the tournaments website.