TAKING DOWN THE HAWKS: Saturday’s game will be the final contest of 2017 for the U18s, and will mark the ninth time they have faced the University of North Dakota.

In the last matchup between the two squads, the U.S. National Under-18 Team fell to UND, 4-1 on January 6, James Sanchez (2016-17/University of Michigan) scored the lone goal for the NTDP.
2016 at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

NTDP alum Grant Mismash (2015-17) is currently 2nd on UND scoring with 14 points (5-9-14 in 19 GP) on the season. The Nashville Predators draft pick has been named NCHC Rookie of the Week four times so far this season. Senior goaltender, Cam Johnson is ranked 6th in the NCAA in save percentage with a .917 through 12 games played.

Team USA is looking for its first victory against the University of North Dakota after posting a 0-7-1 record in the all-time series. UND has outscored the NTDP 37-16 through the first 8 matchups.

The Fighting Hawks have two current players who were formerly members of the NTDP: Grant Mishmash (2015-2017), and Shane Gersich (2013-2014, Washington).

Gavin Hain (Grand Rapids, MN) of the U18s and Judd Caulfield (Grand Forks, ND) of the U17s are the two current NTDP players committed to UND. Former NTDP goaltender Adam Scheel (2015-17, Penticton Vees) is also committed to play hockey for the Fighting Hawks.

Fighting Hawks Top Scorers:

Christian Wolanin (5-11-16 in 20 GP), Grant Mismash (5-9-14 in 19 GP), Nick Jones (6-7-13 in 19 GP).

Fighting Hawks Plus-Minus Leaders:

Colton Poolman (+11), Christian Wolanin (+9), Cole Smith (+8)

Fighting Hawks Goaltenders:

Cam Johnson (7-3-2 in 12 GS, 1.83 GAA, .917 SV%), Peter Thome (3-2-3 in 8 GS, 2.56 GAA, .907 SV%)

All-Time Results vs. University of North Dakota:

December 5, 2003, U18s @ UND (L, 1-4); December 1, 2006, U18s @ UND (OTL, 4-5); December 19, 2008, U18s @ UND (L, 2-5); December 18, 2010, U18s @ UND (L, 1-2); October 12, 2010, U18s @ UND (L, 4-6); October 26, 2013, U18s @ UND (L, 1-4); January 13, 2015, U18s @ UND (L, 2-7); January 9, 2016, U18s @ UND (L, 1-4).

NTDP All-Time Record vs. University of North Dakota:

0-7-1 (W-L-OTL) Home: 0-0-0 Road: 0-7-1

CAGING THE BULLDOGS: The Under-18 Team begins its 2018 campaign with a matchup against Ferris State University on Tuesday, January 2.

The two teams have only played once and that came in 2008 when the NTDP traveled to Ewigleben Arena and fell 0-3. This will be the first time the Bulldogs travel to USA Hockey Arena. The inter-state contest will feature 16 total Michigan natives (Ferris 13, NTDP 3)

Ferris State is led in scoring this season by junior, Corey Mackin (5-12-17 in 20 GP) and senior, Mitch Maloney (12-4-16 in 21 GP), who is tied for 7th in NCAA scoring with 12 goals.

The Bulldogs enter the game looking to bounce back from three straight losses, where they were outscored 15-4.

Bulldogs Top Scorers:

Corey Mackin (5-12-17 in 20 GP), Mitch Maloney (12-4-16 in 21 GP), Andrew Dorantes (5-8-13 in 19 GP).

Bulldogs Plus-Minus Leaders:

Corey Mackin (+7), Andrew Dorantes  (+5), and Ryker Killins (+3)

Bulldogs Goaltenders:

Justin Kapelmaster (6-6-0 in 12 GS, 2.78 GAA, .915 SV%), Darren Smith (3-5-1 in 9 GS, 3.43 GAA, .900 SV%)

All-Time Results vs. Ferris State University:

January 4, 2008, @ Bulldogs (L, 0-3)

NTDP All-Time Record vs. Ferris State University:

0-1-0    (W-L-OTL) Home: 0-0-0 Road: 0-1-0

CHOPPING DOWN THE LUMBERJACKSThe U17s travel to Muskegon to take on the Lumberjacks on Friday. This meeting will be the fourth of eight against the Lumberjacks this season. The NTDP leads the season series 2-1-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL).

In the last meeting between the two, the NTDP hosted the Lumberjacks and fell 6-3.

During the 2017-18 season, the U.S. National Under-18 Team will play the Lumberjacks three times while the U.S. National Under -17 Team will face-off against the Lumberjacks five times. The NTDP holds a 26-25-5 all-time record against the Lumberjacks.

Muskegon’s Top Scorers:

Wyatt Bongiovanni (12-10-22 in 23 GP)

Anthony Del Gaizo (13-7-20 in 23 GP)

Matej Pekar (3-17-20 in 23 GP)

Muskegon’s Plus-Minus Leaders:

Bray Crowder (7), Collin Murphy (5), Matej Pekar (4)

Muskegon’s Goaltenders:

Adam Brizgala (4-5-1-1 in 13 GP, 3.02 GAA, .892 SV%, 1 SO),

Keegan Karki (6-5-0-0 in 12 GP, 3.08 GAA, .895 SV%)

2017-18 Schedule/Results vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks:

Sep. 23, 2017, U18s @ Muskegon (SO/W, 7-6); Oct. 14, 2017, U18s @ Muskegon (W, 7-0); Dec. 19, 2017 (L, 3-6), U18s vs. Muskegon; Dec. 29, 2017, U17s @ Muskegon; Jan. 15, 2018, U17s vs. Muskegon; Jan. 27, 2018, U17s @ Muskegon; Mar. 4, 2018, U17s vs. Muskegon

GHOSTING THE PHANTOMS: This contest will be the fourth of nine meetings this season as Youngstown travels to USA Hockey Arena. Youngstown is currently in first place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 12-6-3-1 in the USHL entering the game.

The Phantoms won the last meeting by a score of 2-0, but the NTDP holds the lead on the season series 2-1-0 (W-L-OTL). The NTDP leads the all-time series 38-33-5 (W-L-OTL).

Phantoms Top Scorers:

Matthew Barry (6-14-20 in 22 GP),

Curtis Hall (10-7-17 in 18 GP),

Max Ellis (7-10-17 in 20 GP).

Plus-Minus Leaders:

Curtis Hall (8), Julian Kislin (8)Chase Gresock (7),

Phantoms Goaltenders:

Ivan Prosvetov (6-2-2-0 in 12 GP, 3.07 GAA, .904 SV%)

Wouter Peeters (6-4-1-1 in 12 GP, 3.74 GAA, .898 SV%)

2017-18 Schedule:

Nov. 3, U18s vs. Youngstown (W/OT, 5-4), Nov. 17, U18s at Youngstown (W, 8-5), Dec. 1, U17s at Youngstown (L, 0-2), Dec. 30, U17s vs. Youngstown, Jan. 15, U18s at Youngstown, Feb. 25, U18s vs. Youngstown, Mar. 30, U18s vs. Youngstown, Mar. 31, U17s at Youngstown, and Apr. 12, U17s at Youngstown.

Team USA vs. Youngstown: 2-1-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL)

Home: 1-0-0-0 Away: 1-1-0-0

Team USA All-Time Record vs. Youngstown: 37-33-5 (W-L-OTL)

Home: 24-11-2 Road:13-22-3