The U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams will both play United States Hockey League games this week. The U17s play a pair of home games while the U18s head out on the road. Team USA is a combined 5-13-1 (W-L-OTL) in USHL play this season.

HITTING THE ROAD: The U18s head back out on the road to play Dubuque on Friday (Dec. 14) before traveling to Cedar Rapids on Saturday (Dec. 15).

“This weekend culminates a tough six-game road swing for our squad,” Under-18 coach Don Granato said. “We have been to Alabama, out east and now we head out to Iowa. This is a great test for our squad as this stretch has definitely tested our ability to stay fresh.”

The U18s posted a 3-1 win over Merrimack College on Saturday (Dec. 8) before skating to a 2-2 overtime tie at top-ranked New Hampshire on Sunday (Dec. 9).

Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.) stopped 20 shots and Tyler Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass.) recorded a goal and an assist in the win at Merrimack. Michael McCarron (Macomb, Mich.) and Hudson Fasching (Burnsville, Minn.) also registered goals in the win.

Against the University of New Hampshire, Anthony Louis (Winfield, Ill.) and Tyler Motte (St. Clair, Mich.) scored 36 seconds apart in the third period to secure the tie. Demko turned aside 35 shots.

“I’m proud of our team’s effort this weekend, playing two solid games against two quality opponents,” Granato said. “Our players stepped up and played with intensity, and they were rewarded with three points against two Hockey East squads.”

CUBE SWEET CUBE: The Under-17s will host the Fargo Force for a pair of contests on Thursday and Friday (Dec. 13-14) at the Ann Arbor (Mich.) Ice Cube. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m. EST both nights.

“It will be nice to return home and play two games," U17 coach Danton Cole said. “We are looking for continued improvement in all aspects of our game. This is the homestretch before the [World] Under-17 Challenge, and I am looking for the effort to be there from the players.”

The U17s dropped a pair of USHL road games over the weekend, falling 4-3 at Omaha on Friday (Dec. 7) before dropping a 6-3 decision at Tri-City on Saturday (Dec. 8). Sonny Milano (Massapequa, N.Y.), Chris Wilkie (Omaha, Neb.) and Ryan MacInnis (St. Louis, Mo.) had goals against Omaha; however, former NTDP player Kyle Osterberg (2010-12/Lakeville, Minn.) scored a pair of goals, including the game winner for Omaha.

Jack Eichel (North Chelmsford, Mass.) tallied a pair of goals and Wilkie added a single tally in the loss at Tri-City.

NOTEBOOK
• Former NTDP player Shane Sooth (Canyon Country, Calif./2008-10) plays for the Dubuque Fighting Saints this season.

• With a win and a tie this weekend, the U18s improved to 5-4-4 (W-L-T) against NCAA competition, including a 2-4-4 mark against Division I foes. The U18s carry a 15-6-1-5 (W-L-OTL-T) mark into this weekend’s action, including a 7-0-0-3 record in their last 10 games.

• Tyler Kelleher (13-12) leads the U18s in scoring with 25 points while Anthony Louis (14-8) is second with 22 points. Tyler Motte (10-10) ranks third with 20 points. Evan Allen (Sterling Heights, Mich./10-7) is fourth with 17 points. Sean Malone (West Seneca, N.Y./7-9) and Will Butcher (Sun Prairie, Wis./4-12) round out the top six with 16 points each.

• Meanwhile, in goal for the U18s, Thatcher Demko has a 11-2-0-3 (W-L-OTL-T) record along with a 2.22 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. Hunter Miska (North Branch, Minn.) is 4-4-1-1 with a 3.30 GAA and an .846 save percentage.

• The U17s head into this week’s action with a 6-14-1 (W-L-OTL) record. After scoring just one goal in three games, the team averaged three goals in the past two games.

• Jack Eichel (8-11) paces the U17s in scoring with 19 points. Sonny Milano (9-8) is second with 17 points, while Chris Wilkie (6-7) ranks third with 13 points. Joe Wegwerth (Brewster, N.Y./7-5) and Brandon Fortunato (North Hills, N.Y./0-12) are tied for fourth with 12 points each.

• In goal, Edwin Minney (Wind Gap, Pa.) has seen the majority of the action for the Under-17 Team and has posted a 4-9-1 (W-L-OTL) record, a 4.35 GAA and an .872 save percentage.

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.