ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The U.S. National Under-18 Team took one of two games from the Youngstown Phantoms this weekend (Dec. 21-22, 2012) at the Covelli Center. Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.) made 12 saves in the 3-0 shutout on Friday.
After a scoreless first frame, Sean Malone (West Seneca, N.Y.) staked a 1-0 lead for Team USA at 11:11 of the second period. Scott Savage (San Clemente, Calif.) and Anthony Louis (Winfield, Ill.) assisted on the tally. The U.S. outshot its opponent, 12-2, in the period.
Hudson Fasching scored his fourth power-play goal on Friday. Photo by Dave Reginek.
Hudson Fasching (Burnsville, Minn.) doubled the U.S. advantage, 2-0, at 5:50 of the third stanza. Evan Allen (Sterling Heights, Mich.) and Tyler Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass.) collected assists on the play. Kelleher netted his own goal at 14:42 on the power play to seal the victory.
The following night (Dec. 22), the Phantoms turned the table and earned a 3-0 shutout win over the Under-18 Team. Youngstown tallied one goal in each period, including one with the man advantage, to extract revenge from Team USA.
Demko made 17 saves in the loss for the U.S., while Sean Romeo turned aside all 28 shots he faced to record a shutout win for the Phantoms.
The Under-18 Team will enjoy a short holiday break before suiting up against the University of Michigan at Yost Arena on Friday, Jan. 4.
Three Stars of the Game
1st Star
Under-18 Team
Thatcher Demko, goalie (12 saves)
2nd Star
Under-18 Team
Tyler Kelleher, forward (1 goal, 1 assist)
3rd Star
Under-18 Team
Sean Malone, forward (1 goal)
Three Stars of the Game
1st Star
Youngstown Phantoms
Sean Romeo, goalie (28 saves)
2nd Star
Youngstown Phantoms
Luke Stork, forward (1 goal)
3rd Star
Youngstown Phantoms
Tommy Davis, defense (1 goal, 1 assist)