Men’s Ice Hockey 10/11/2024 Chase Ward
By Roy J. Akers- www.skyviewsports.net
Plymouth, Mich. — The Lake Superior State University Lakes playing a tough stretch of games mirrors the NTDP 18-U and have started their seasons off playing tough foes. The Lakes are traveling to play a team stocked with talent that will be NHL drafted and further developed by college, minor league ,and junior hockey teams. LSSU lost a pair at home to No.5 Michigan State University and keep the pressure on by traveling to Ohio State in two weeks. The USDP has 2025 draft prospects but many are not the top ten picks (Quinn Hughes-(No. 6), Jack Hughes (1st), and Luke Hughes (No. 4) of the last few years.
First Period
Both teams feeling each other out early on. The Lakers control the zone but no solid opportunities to test the Red, White, and Blues Joey Slavick from Westland, Mich. NTDP is dangerous at 13:13 with a point blank shot on Rorke Applebee. A point blank shot by Team USA’s Horcoff at the 9:30 mark by Will Horcoff who took a feed just inside the blue line . Applebee closes the five hole and the score remains tied. That changes at 13:50 when LSSU’s Luke Levandowski jams away in the goal crease and fires it home. Assisted by Branden Piku. Moments later, the games first penalty, Lincoln Kuehne whistled for interference at 14:14. The penalty is killed. A second penalty to Wilson Dahlheimer at 19:42 for interference is carried over to the second period. LSSU carries much of the play but Team USA is in no way overmatched. Score after One: LSSU 1- NTDP-0. SOG: LSSU-7- NTDP 6.
Second Period
Wilh the penalty killed at 1:42, three seconds later Reagan Milburn knocks it by Slavick. An assist by John Herrington and the lead goes to 2-0 LSSU. With a visitor giveaway Will Moore break in on Applebee and bangs it off the goalpost. Will teams trading the play when LSSU sets up in the NTDP zone. John Herrington scores his second of the game just inside the blueline as he beats Slavick clean. Grant Hindman with the assist at 7:32. LSSU is called for a penalty at 8:44. Jordan Venegoni is called for tripping. Later in the period, Team USA is killing off another LSSU power play when Bryan Huggins made a solid play gaining the offensive zone shorthanded. It was knocked away. Then, at 14:00 even, LSSU connects on the same power play as Reagan Milburn takes a wrister from the right circle and went low side left. John Herrington and Evan Bushy earn the assists. LSSU 4, NTDP 0. Moving to the 18:45 mark, LSSU is called for two many men on the ice. Everett Pietila serves the penalty. Just 30 seconds later Team USA gets on the board Charlie Trethewey from Richard Gallant on the powerplay goal. Score after Two: LSSU 4- NTDP-1. SOG: LSSU-14- NTDP 14
Third Period
Both teams played hockey out of their own zones getting little pressure in the offensive zone. At 4:07, down by three Team USA is called for a penalty for interference as Landon Hafele goes to the box. As the penalty expires, a scrum develops in the corner and LSSU’s Branden Piku is whistled for head contact at 6:34. The Lakers Connor Milburn skates in with a posse and tucks it in on the left side before Slavick can guard the post. Assists from LSSU’s. Blake Humphrey and Adam Barone make it LSSU 5-1. Goal scored at 9:14. The play continues with LSSU controlling the zone and peppering the Team USA goal. Team USA get in some late licks to make the shot total respectable. Then, at the 18:38 mark, a lazer by LSSU’s Herrington from Reagan Milburn. caps the scoring. FINAL Score after One: LSSU 6- NTDP-1. SOG: LSSU-28- NTDP 20.
Three Stars of the Game
3. LSSU – Evan Bushy
2. LSSU John Herrington Four Points
- LSSU’s Reagan Milburn Three Points
Attendance: An announced crowd of 1,123.
NTDP College Series for 18 U Team USA
Lake Superior State Univ. Fri. Oct. 11th
Robert Morris Univ.- Sat. Oct. 12
Augustana Univ. Fri. Sat. Nov 15-16
Michigan State University Thursday, November 21, 2024
Bowling Green – Fri. Feb 14
All games above will be played in Plymouth, Mich. Here is the link to purchase tickets.
The NTDP played road games against B1G’s Notre Dame and Western Michigan. Both games were a loss. A road game is scheduled against University of Michigan.
Roy J. Akers is a multi-media reporter and covers several sports for www.skyviewsports.net
