AUGUSTANA VIKINGS: The Under-18 Team returns stateside to continue its Kroger College Series by hosting Augustana for a pair of games this weekend.

The Vikings come into the pair of contests with a 5-5-0 overall record, but winners of two of their last three. Last weekend against Bemidji State, the Vikings took BSU to OT Friday night, eventually falling 4-3, before coming back to wipe the Beavers, 5-1, in the rematch.

Eight different Vikings have recorded five-or-more points through the team's first 10 games, including Owen Bohn and Luke Mobley, who are tied for the team lead with five goals apiece. Bohn has added three assists for eight total points, matched by Brett Meerman (4G-4A) and Payton Matsui (1G-7A). 

In the cage, sophomore Josh Kotai has started nine of 10 games, playing to a 5-4-0 record with a fantastic 2.02 GAA and .936 SV%.

The NTDP and Vikings have only previously played twice, both coming last year in South Dakota. Team USA skated to 8-3 and 3-0 victories in the pair of games. 

MADISON CAPITOLS: After the World Under-17 Challenge last week, the NTDP U17s return to USHL play as they travel to Wisconsin for a pair against the Capitols.

Madison has six skaters already in double-digit point totals through the team's first 15 games of the season. Bobby Cowan leads the squad with 9 goals and 15 total points in just 12 games played. Ryker Lee, named to the 2024 U.S. National Junior Select Team this week, ranks second on Madison with 14 points (5G-9A). Finn Brink (6G-6A) and Aiden Long (4G-8A) have both added a dozen points to aid the Caps' offensive attack.

On the blue line, Colton Jamieson leads Madison defensemen with two goals, seven assists and nine points. John Stout (+12) leads the league in plus-minus and Austin Moline (+11) ranks right behind him.

In net, it's a fairly even split between Caleb Heil and Ajay White. Heil, a member of the 2024 U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team as well as a Junior Select Team member, owns a 6-1-0-1 record with a 2.36 GAA and .910 SV% in eight appearances. White has been just as good with a 2.42 GAA and .916 SV% in his seven games of action.

The contests will be the first two of four total matchups between the U17s and Capitols this season.

YOUNGSTOWN PHANTOMS: The U18s cap their weekend with an out-and-back trip to Youngstown for a Sunday matinee.

Czech import Adam Benak is one of four Phantoms with four goals scored on the year, and has added six helpers for 10 points to tie for the team lead. Jack Hextall has scored just once, but added nine assists to match Benak's offensive output.

Conner de Haro (2G-5A) and Luke Osburn (1G-6A) lead the Youngstown defenders with seven point apiece. 

Melvin Strahl is the lone qualified Phantoms netminder. The Swedish backstop is 6-4-0-0 in 10 games, with a 2.66 GAA and .892 SV%.

Outside of the two USHL preseason contests already played, the only future matchup with the U18s and Phantoms this season will come on January 24-25, again back in Ohio.