MUSKEGON LUMBERJACKS: The Lumberjacks won their first preseason game of the season, a 5-4 shootout victory over the Chicago Steel on Wednesday evening in Michigan. The 'Jacks received goals from Quinn Hutson, David Hymovitch, Ben Strinden and Jake Richard in regulation before grabbing the extra point in the skills competition. Hutson is the older brother of current U18 defenseman, Lane Hutson (North Barrington, Ill.).

Jan Skorpik played the entirety of the game in net for Muskegon. The Czech Republic native appeared in 30 games for Muskegon last year, seeing action in seven games against Team USA. The U18s are likely to see Cameron Korpi in net at some point this weekend, a familiar face. Korpi was a member of the Under-17 Team for the second half of last season, appearing in seven games as an injury replacement. 

Team USA and Muskegon met for 12 regular-season matchups during the 2020-21 season, with the NTDP recording a 5-5-1-1 record. 

ST. CLOUD NORSEMEN: St. Cloud has played one game on the young season, defeating the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks by an 8-1 final on Wednesday. Forwards Jackson Bisson (2g-1a) and Logan Kittleson (0g-3a) led the way with three points apiece for the Norsemen while five other skaters added a pair of points in the box score. Josh Langford turned aside 13 of 14 shots he saw to pick up the win in net.

The two sides met last season for a pair of games in Minnesota as the NTDP's U18s topped the Norsemen by 13-2 and 5-3 finals at the St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex.

JANESVILLE JETS: The U17s will lace up the skates against the Janesville Jets for Part II of the NAHL showcase on Saturday night. The Wisconsin-based team dropped its first pair of games this season to the Springfield Jr. Blues by identical 4-1 scores on Friday and Saturday evenings last week.

Cy LeClerc led the Jets with both goals scored over the weekend on eight shot attempts. Goaltenders Karsten Bougoine and Michael D'Orazio split the games in net for Janesville.