FEELING AT (FUTURE) HOME: U18 forward Austin Baker (White Lake, Mich.) looked to put on a show for his future home fans as the U18s traveled to Munn Ice Arena to take on Michigan State last Friday night.

The future Spartan netted the game's opening goal, a power-play marker just 2:29 into the game. As the net-front presence, Baker stood his ground and banged home a rebound opportunity to put Team USA up 1-0. 

The score was Baker's 10th of the season, making him the ninth U18 skater to hit double digits. He has produced three goals and six assists in 11 College Series games.

STOP THE SLIDE: With losses to Michigan State and the University of Michigan last week, the Under-18 Team dropped both games in the same weekend for just the second time this season. Coupled with the team's New Year's Day loss at Minnesota, it is the squad's second three-game losing streak of the season, on this occasion all to highly-ranked NCAA opponents.

The U18s will look to end the skid this weekend in South Dakota as they take on the Stampede. The U18s have fared very well in USHL play, skating to a 9-4-0 record through their first 13 games this year.

Additionally, the U18s have normally responded to losses well, posting a 6-3-0-1 record in games coming off of a loss, which includes the previous two games they dropped.

GIVING US MOORE: U17 forward Will Moore (Ithaca, N.Y.) continued his torrid stretch as he posted two goals and an assist in the U17s 10-9 loss in Tri-City on Saturday night.

The game was Moore's fifth of the season with three-or-more points in just 28 games played. The uncommitted forward leads the U17s in goals (15), points (31), points-per-game (1.11) and rating (+10).

Since the beginning of the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge on November 2, Moore has put up a ridiculous 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 total points over his past 19 games.

RAISE THE FLAG: Team USA took home gold at the 2024 World Junior Championship last week in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The tournament victory was the United States' sixth all-time win at World Juniors, all coming since 2004. Over the past 15 tournaments, the U.S. has tied Canada with five first-place finishes apiece.

This year's Team USA squad featured 17 NTDP alums, including Cutter Gauthier, who was given the Directorate Award for Best Forward of the tournament and named to the media all-star team, alongside fellow NTDP alum Lane Hutson, who was one of two defensemen named.

Isaac Howard, another NTDP alum, led the tournament in goals scored while Trey Augustine, who led the U.S. to a gold medal in net last year at the IIHF U18 Men's World Championship, continued his tremendous international play as he led all goaltenders in save percentage (.936) and GAA (1.75).

CHIPOTLE ALL-AMERICAN GAME: The Chipotle All-American Game, which features the top USHL prospects eligible for the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft, will be played Jan. 15, 2024 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich. Opening faceoff is set for 4 p.m. ET and the game will broadcast live on NHL Network.

The annual event, which began in 2012, has seen 292 players that have gone on to be drafted, including 62 first-round picks. 2023 first round NHL Draft picks Will Smith, Ryan Leonard, Oliver Moore, Charlie Stramel and Gabe Perreault all previously played in the Chipotle All-American Game.

Tickets for the Chipotle All-American Game are on sale now. You can purchase tickets in person at the USA Hockey Arena box office, by calling 734-453-8400, or online at USAHockeyArena.com/AAPG.