Lighting The Lamp: Exhibition Special

Last night was an understandably awkward one for US U20 coach Dean Blais as he was in Grand Forks, not coaching the Sioux but trying to beat them. Blais won 6 conference titles and 2 national titles in the 10 seasons he spent at the helm of North Dakota.

In their tune-up for the World Junior Championships, Team USA asserted themselves quite well. The American team, with 13 collegians on their team, doubled up the Sioux, earning a 4-2 victory. Boston College Freshman Chris Kreider, who has 2 goals all season for the Eagles, had two goals in the game for Team USA, both power play efforts.

Las Vegas native Jason Zucker (USNTDP) had the game winning tally when he beat UND Freshman goalie Aaron Dell.

Even though the Sioux were missing Chay Genoway and Darcy Zajac due to injury, as well as Danny Kristo, who played on Team USA, this is a good confidence building win for the Americans. SCSU Freshman goalie Mike Lee stopped all 12 shots he faced, while uber-prospect Jack Campbell made some great saves, although he did let in both of UND’s goals.

Defensively, I think BU Freshman Max Nicastro became a lock to make the team with his performance tonight. The defenseman really threw his weight around and brought a physical presence that a lot of his teammates didn’t. On the North American sized ice that will be very important to push around the Eastern European teams.

Danny Kristo got the last goal of the game against his team, an empty netter. He also was involved in a humorous moment at the end of the first period. After the horn, Brad Malone and another Sioux playfully bumped him and shoved him into the corner, and Malone stayed and traded shoves with the Freshman.