Saturday, October 03, 2009

Wolverines double U.S. Under-18 Team

By Matt Mackinder/Michigan Beat Writer

In a battle of crosstown teams, Michigan defeated the United States National Under-18 Team tonight, 4-2, at Yost Ice Arena in an exhibition game.

Wolverines defenseman Brandon Burlon scored 13 seconds into the game and Michigan never trailed.

Carl Hagelin added two goals for UM and AJ Treais, an NTDP alum, tallied the other to back Bryan Hogan's 26-save performance. Ben Winnett added two assists.

"I got a good look at our freshman," said Michigan head coach Red Berenson. "For the most part, I thought for the first game for Michigan against the development team, it was a good experience. They got some good ice time. I liked A.J. Treais , I liked [Kevin] Lynch, and I thought [Chris] Brown came on strong as the game went on. [Lindsay] Sparks didn't get as much power-play or special-teams time, but he can skate and play at this level. [Lee] Moffie fit right in on defense."

Jack Campbell made 35 saves in goal, while Jon Merrill and Adam Clendening each scored for Team USA.

"Well, it was what we expected," added Berenson. "They're a good team. They're all going to be Division I players next year. Their defense is as good as any Division I defense right now, so I thought they played a good game. They were in the game all night. We had to kill too many penalties. We put our chances in, but it was a closer game than the score might have shown."

The Under-18 Team's roster includes five players that have verbally committed to Michigan including Campbell, defensemen Kevin Clare and Merrill, and forwards Luke Moffatt and Jacob Fallon. Michigan's roster includes eight NTDP alumni including senior captain Chris Summers (2004-06), junior Matt Rust (2005-07), sophomores Robbie Czarnik (2006-08) and David Wohlberg (2006-08), and freshmen Brown (2007-09), Lynch (2007-09), Treais (2007-09) and Patrick Summers (2009).

Michigan will conclude its exhibition play tomorrow evening against the University of Windsor at 5:05 p.m.

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