Game Thread: US Under-18 Team vs. BGSU

[BGDrew]

US Under-18 Team vs. Bowling Green

vs.


Ticket Information:
Buy Tickets*

*Even though this is considered an exhibition game tickets will be required.


Live Coverage
Your's truly, Drew Evans will be providing a Live Blog during the game. The blog can be found at: http://www.bringbacktheglory.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . More links TBA.

In addition, Todd Pavlack (toddpav) will be providing live image updates at the intermissions. If you can't make it to the Ice Arena A-Z-Z.com will have you covered!


Last Week
The Falcons traveled to Minnesota State and were unable to pick up their first win against the Broncos.
10/9: 2-3 L
10/10: 1-4 L

The US National U-18 team traveled to Boston and dropped a series of games against Jerry York's BC Eagles and the defending national champions Boston University.
10/9: 3-6 L (@Boston College)
10/10: 2-3 L (@Boston University)

The Series
This will the first meeting between the U-18 team and the Falcons.


Game 1
10/16/2009: 7:05pm EST US Under-18 Team vs. BGSU (BGSU Ice Arena)
Radio: 88.1 WBGU
Play-by-Play: Everett Fitzhugh
Color Commentary: Brian Fisher
Pre-game will start 1/2 hour before game time. Webcast available at http://www.bgrso.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or BGSUFalcons.com.


Media Notes
Bowling Green: http://www.bgsufalcons.com/news/2009/10 ... 93215.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
US National: n/a
CCHA.com: http://www.ccha.com/ccha_weekly_release ... t._12.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
USCHO.com: http://www.uscho.com/news/college-hocke ... eview.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Around the CCHA
Thursday
Denver at Ohio State
7:05 p.m. ET

Providence at Notre Dame
7:35 p.m. ET

Friday
Miami at New Hampshire
7:00 p.m. ET

Nebraska-Omaha at Colgate
7:00 p.m. ET

Michigan State at Maine
7:00 p.m. ET

Connecticut at Ferris State
7:05 p.m. ET

Canisius at Lake Superior
7:05 p.m. ET

Denver at Ohio State
7:05 p.m. ET

Robert Morris at Alaska (Brice Alaska Goal Rush - Fairbanks, AK)
7:35 p.m. AT

Providence at Notre Dame
7:35 p.m. ET

Mercyhurst at Western Michigan
7:35 p.m. ET

Saturday
Connecticut at Ferris State
5:05 p.m. ET

Miami at New Hampshire
7:00 p.m. ET

Nebraska-Omaha at Colgate
7:00 p.m. ET

Michigan State at Maine
7:00 p.m. ET

Canisius at Lake Superior
7:05 p.m. ET

Rensselaer at Alaska (Brice Alaska Goal Rush - Fairbanks, AK)
7:35 p.m. AT

Mercyhurst at Western Michigan
7:35 p.m. ET



Pre-season Polls
CCHA - Coaches Poll

Team | (first-place votes),Points
1. Michigan (5),114
2. Notre Dame (4),111
3. Miami (2),104
4. Ohio State 90
5. Northern Michigan (1),85
6. Nebraska-Omaha 63
7. Alaska 61
8. Ferris State 50
9. Michigan State 46
10. Lake Superior State 29
11. Western Michigan 28
12. Bowling Green 11

Media Poll
Team | (first-place votes),Points
1. Michigan (24),731
2. Notre Dame (20),712
3. Miami (20),707
4. Ohio State (1),547
5. Northern Michigan 502
6. Alaska 386
7. Nebraska-Omaha 377
8. Michigan State (1),332
9. Ferris State 314
10. Western Michigan 256
11. Lake Superior State 189
12. Bowling Green 95


National Rankings
Courtesy of USCHO.com

[rood]

Whoooo! Look at that! We're in second place!

[DWhite21]

I'm not expecting to beat the US-18 team but I'm hoping it'll at least be a good game. I think they'll come out smelling blood after getting beat by teams like BU, BC and Michigan. They got out-shot 42-16 against BU and somehow only managed to lose 3-2.

They may only be 17-18 years old but they've got a lot of kids who will probably end up in the NHL. I know that Jon Merrill, Brandon Saad, and Jack Campbell(goalie) all have a chance to be first round NHL picks. Not to mention the fact that the majority of their team will get drafted in other rounds.

[MACMAN]

They are many steps that W L team, but I am expecting to win...yea I know it may seem like I m stretching, but those kids are 17-18 we have men, men many of whom will go on to play prohockey and while the U18 team beats some U every year, its not going to be the Falcons.
See you at the game.

[Falcon Fanatic]

Tell me if I'm wrong, but doesn't U-18 mean UNDER 18? Are the kids 16-17 year olds? Doesn't really matter, the skill level of this team is just ridiculous!! Looking forward to a great game!!

[MACMAN]

These kids are 18 and under, some are 17 as the magic date for birthdays is some time in June or July.
they can do and will take younger kids, like Im sure Rocco Grimaldi who is on the 17 u team at age 16 will play 18u next year and the following as well, because he is just an amazing player, where as Im sure some of his team mates, who dont lack in skills mind you at all, will remain on the 17u team next year. Should you ever have a chance to watch Rocco Grimaldi play, you will be treated to some sweet hockey.

[ShaneFalco]

[quote]The Series
This will the first meeting between the U-18 team and the Falcons.[/quote]

BG beat the Under-18 Team, 7-1, on 11/15/2002

[sbkbghockey]

this team is good, certainly capable of hanging around with the collegiate teams! This should be an exciting game tonight and probably not a pushover like the exh games against CIS teams!!

[DWhite21]

Tell me if I'm wrong, but doesn't U-18 mean UNDER 18? Are the kids 16-17 year olds? Doesn't really matter, the skill level of this team is just ridiculous!! Looking forward to a great game!!

You would be correct, at least until the new year. All of the kids on the team are born in '92, so they'll all be 17 through 2009. There's actually a couple kids on the team who are born in the later part of '92 and are still 16 years old. http://www.usahockey.com/USANTDP/defaul ... &ID=233682" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[DWhite21]

These kids are 18 and under, some are 17 as the magic date for birthdays is some time in June or July.
they can do and will take younger kids, like Im sure Rocco Grimaldi who is on the 17 u team at age 16 will play 18u next year and the following as well, because he is just an amazing player, where as Im sure some of his team mates, who dont lack in skills mind you at all, will remain on the 17u team next year. Should you ever have a chance to watch Rocco Grimaldi play, you will be treated to some sweet hockey.

I've heard that he's a ridiculous player but I've never gotten the chance to see him play. I know he's super small but is apparently the fastest and most talented kid every time he's on the ice. I'm sure he's a treat to see live. He's from California too, which is kinda cool, even though he played for Compuware last year.

[MACMAN]

These kids are 18 and under, some are 17 as the magic date for birthdays is some time in June or July.
they can do and will take younger kids, like Im sure Rocco Grimaldi who is on the 17 u team at age 16 will play 18u next year and the following as well, because he is just an amazing player, where as Im sure some of his team mates, who dont lack in skills mind you at all, will remain on the 17u team next year. Should you ever have a chance to watch Rocco Grimaldi play, you will be treated to some sweet hockey.

I've heard that he's a ridiculous player but I've never gotten the chance to see him play. I know he's super small but is apparently the fastest and most talented kid every time he's on the ice. I'm sure he's a treat to see live. He's from California too, which is kinda cool, even though he played for Compuware last year.

He has skated with my nephew for several summers at USA selects, he is told time and again how fast and shifty quick he is...etc you know the drill, and I tell you what, Rocco..is when he flips the switch, jaw dropping fast, much like the olympic 100 yard sprinter that a set a record after he pulled up with 20 to go...he is in a word SICK. These kids really are the top .05% of there USA age group.
Rocco played for Little Caesars last year.

oh yea...2 1/2 hours!

[BGDrew]

The Series
This will the first meeting between the U-18 team and the Falcons.

BG beat the Under-18 Team, 7-1, on 11/15/2002

What's really weird is that USA Hockey has that listed in their media guide too while our guys are saying this is the first time we've ever played. I searched the BGSUFalcons.com archives and couldn't find any mention of this game. BTW, it's good to hear from you. I figured when things went down this summer with the program we'd see some more of the former players.

Just a reminder: I will be doing a LiveBlog of the game at http://www.bringbacktheglory.org/liveblog/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; starting around 6:45p.-6:50p. I will still post the occasional update on the game thread for those on mobile phones. This is also sort of the launch of that website so I hope to have a lot more features on there in the coming weeks.

[rood]

USCHO.com has a write up on the 2002 game that refers to our opponent solely as Team USA and the box score lists them as US Under-18. Maybe whoever is creating the material at school now just looked through the record books for the NTDP and when they didn't see it just assumed that it wasn't the same program/team.

[rood]

Just checked it against bgsufalcons.com. The game was played on 11/15 and the school website doesn't list the opponent for that night, just the final score. There are several games that year with no opponent listed. Hate to think the guys were just playing with themselves.

[BGDrew]

US Lines:
F1: Saad - Czarnik - Rust
F2: Zucker - Balisy - Nieto
F3: Mersch - Arnold - Moffatt
F4: Shore

D:
D1: Forbort - Merrill
D2: Tinordi - Clendening
D3: Clare - Simonelli
D4: Faulk - Johns

G:
Campell
Iles

BG Lines:
F1: Samuels-Thomas - Boyd - Dee
F2: Pageau - Perkin - Kantola
F3: Potacco - Freismuth - Petruska
F4: Vargas - Rodriguez - Finegan

D1: Page - Ruel
D2: Rushing - Krelove
D3: Grover - Moore

G:
Hammond
Eno