ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Blake Weyrick (Ojai, Calif.) made 19 saves, as the U.S. National Under-18 Team was upended by the Muskegon Lumberjacks, 3-1, on March 1, 2013 at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.
Team USA and Muskegon skated to a scoreless first frame, in which the U.S. outshot its opponent, 20-6. Lumberjacks netminder Kevin Lindskoug stopped each attempt to keep the Under-18 Team off the board.
Jack Eichel looks for a rebound against Muskegon. Photo by Tom Sorensen.
Muskegon staked a 1-0 lead at 4:07 of the second stanza. Tyler Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass.) answered with a goal at 15:06. Michael McCarron (Macomb, Mich.) and Evan Allen (Sterling Heights, Mich.) collected assists on the play.
The U.S. fell behind, 2-1, at 2:17 of the third period when the Lumberjacks struck again. Muskegon grabbed a two-goal lead at 16:58. Down two scores late in the frame, Team USA pulled Weyrick in favor of the extra attacker. The gamble failed to generate the offense needed and the U18s fell to its in-state rivals, 3-1.
The U.S. National Under-18 Team will next travel to Green Bay, Wis. to face the Gamblers on Sunday, March 3. Puck drop is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. EST at the Resch Center.
Three Stars of the Game
1st Star
Muskegon Lumberjacks
Kevin Lindskoug, goalie (52 saves)
2nd Star
Muskegon Lumberjacks
Joseph Cox, forward (2 goals)
3rd Star
U.S. National Under-18 Team
Tyler Kelleher, forward (1 goal)
Photo Gallery
Muskegon vs. Under-18 Team
Game action between the Muskegon Lumberjacks and the U.S. National Under-18 Team on March 1, 2013, at the Ann Arbor (Mich.) Ice Cube. Photos by Tom Sorensen.