STOPPING THE SPARTANS

Team USA travels to Munn Ice Arena to play the Michigan State Spartans. The last time the Spartans and U18s met came Dec. 16, 2017, and Michigan State emerged with a 3-0 win.

The Spartans enter the matchup against the U18s after a pair of losses Dec. 7-8 against Wisconsin. NTDP alum Patrick Khodorenko scored twice and Jerad Rosburg scored once in the Spartans' 5-3 loss. Another NTDP alum Drew DeRidder made a total of 29 saves. The Spartans dropped the second game 3-0, and John Lethemon made 40 saves in net.

Big Ten Ranking: No. 7
2018-19 Overall Record: 6-9-1 (W-L-T)

Spartans Top Scorers:
Taro Hirose (7-19-26 in 16 GP)
Patrick Khodorenko (11-5-16 in 16 GP)
Mitchell Lewandowski (5-11-16 in 16 GP)

Spartans Plus-Minus Leaders:
Taro Hirose (+13)
Patrick Khodorenko (+9)
Mitchell Lewandowski (+5)

Spartans Goaltenders:
John Lethemon (4-5-0-0 (W-L-T-SO) in 9 GP, 2.94 GAA, .906 SV%)
Drew DeRidder (2-4-1-0 (W-L-T-SO) in 8 GP, 3.23 GAA, .898 SV%)

2017-18 Results/Schedule vs. Michigan State University:

Dec. 16, 2017; U18s @ Michigan State University (L, 3-0)

NTDP All-Time Record vs. Michigan State University: 6-8-0 (W-L-T)

SINKING THE LAKERS

Team USA hosts Lake Superior State on Sunday (Dec. 16). The U18s fell 6-0 on the road against the Lakers in their last head-to-head matchup Nov. 25, 2017. 

The Lakers are coming off of a two-game win streak after they recorded consecutive victories against Alaska on Dec. 7-8. Diego Cuglietta recorded two goals while Collin Saccoman and Anthony Nellis scored once in the Lakers’ 4-1 win Friday, and goaltender Nick Kossof made 22 saves. Brayden Gelsinger tallied a hat trick, and Anthony Nellis and Max Humitz scored once each in the second game. Nick Kossof made 28 saves to help seal the 5-2 win.

WCHA Standings: No. 4
2018-19 Overall Record: 9-6-1 (W-L-T)

Lakers Top Scorers:
Anthony Nellis (10-8-18 in 16 GP)
Diego Cuglietta (9-6-15 in 16 GP)
Brayden Gelsinger (6-7-13 in 16 GP)

Lakers Plus-Minus Leaders:
Gage Torrel (+7)
Jacob Nordqvist (+5)
Collin Saccoman (+4)

Lakers Goaltenders:
Nick Kossof (7-2-1 in 10 GP, 2.19 GAA, .915 SV%)
Mareks Mitens (2-4-0 in 6 GP, 2.70 GAA, .900 SV%)

2017-18 Results/Schedule vs. Lake Superior State University:

Nov. 25, 2017; U18s @ Lake Superior State (L, 6-0)

NTDP All-Time Record vs. Lake Superior State University: 4-3-3 (W-L-T)