CHICAGO STEEL: Both the U.S. National Under-18 and Under-17 Teams will square off against USHL opponent Chicago Steel this weekend, with the U18s opening the series Friday against the Eastern Conference's top team at 7 p.m. The U17s will take on the Steel on Sunday night at 7 p.m. to round out the series. 

Chicago enters the weekend with a 21-7-2-0 ledger and 44 points in the conference. Steel skaters continue to hold four of the top five spots in point scoring. Former NTDP forward Sean Farrell commands the league scoring lead with 18 goals, 37 assists and 55 points through 29 contests. 

MUSKEGON LUMBERJACKS:  The U17s open their weekend of league play with a rematch against the Muskegon Lumberjacks on Saturday at Mercy Health Arena. 

The two teams last met on Feb. 5 when the U.S. came back from a four-goal deficit in the third period to earn a 6-4 victory over the Jacks. Rutger McGroarty  (Lincoln, Neb.) and Jimmy Snuggerud (Chaska, Minn.) each netted a pair of goals to lead the U.S. scoring effort. 

GREEN BAY GAMBLERS: The U18s will also meet the Green Bay Gamblers for a Sunday-Monday series at USA Hockey Arena. The series marks the first pair of games between the two teams this  season. 

The Gamblers enter the weekend third in the Eastern Conference with a 16-7-0-2 clip in 25 games. Mason Lorhei (11-21--32) and Jake Schmaltz (10-23--33) lead the Gamblers in scoring.