Game of the Day


The Oakland Jr. Grizzlies celebrate Raymond Chase Danol's first-period goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite on Thursday night. (Photo by Total Sports Imaging)

Pens Title Defense Gets Off To A Rocky Start

When it comes to defending a USA Hockey National Championship title, heavy is the head that wears the crown. Just ask Pittsburgh Penguins Elite.

Playing in front of a packed house at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, the home team discovered just how tough it is to repeat that championship feat after dropping a 4-2 decision on Thursday night at the hands of a fast and physical Oakland Jr. Grizzlies.

And thanks to a revamped Tier I tournament format that places greater emphasis on the three preliminary-round games, the Penguins face an uphill climb if they want to reach the semifinals and keep their hopes alive of being the first 18U champs to defend its crown since Shattuck-St. Mary’s in 2012.

With returning seven members from its National Championship squad, including goaltender Chad Veltri, this is a team built to do just that. And if not for Veltri, the score could have been much worse.

Riding a National Championship shutout streak of more than 120 minutes, Veltri was once again on his game. It took a seeing-eye shot from Raymond Chase Danol to snap that shutout streak and stake the Grizzlies to an early lead.

At the other end of the ice, Grizzlies goaltender Carleton Boothe was equally up to the task, stopping all 8 shots he faced in the first period, including robbing Brendan Jones on a breakaway.

“I actually thought they were better than us early on but our goalie made some saves and we stuck with it and found a way to get a few in,” said Grizzlies head coach Dan Riedel.

Joshua Wildauer’s power-play goal before the break padded the lead and energized the Grizzlies and their faithful fans who traveled from Michigan to cheer on their team.

“Lucky for us we travel well,” Riedel said. “[The crowd] wasn’t 50-50 but it definitely wasn’t 100 percent Pittsburgh fans. This environment and this rink, everything here is first class. I know that the kids had a blast and we had a blast coaching the game. It was a really fun game.”

Not ready to abdicate their crown without a fight, the Penguins cut into the lead in the second period when Roman Kraemer took advantage of the open ice on a 5-on-3 power play, streaking down the left wing and rifling a shot over Boothe’s right shoulder.

Anthony Malinowski put a halt to the Pens’ momentum early in the third when his rocket shot from the point glanced off of Veltri’s arm and into the back of the net. And while the Pens continued to press, Andrew Andary’s goal in the final minute put any chance of a comeback to bed.

Playing against tough competition game after game has prepared the Grizzlies to take on the best in the nation. Battle tested and not willing to back down to anyone, Riedel has a team that knows it has to bring its best night after night if they’re going to be successful.

“This is probably the least coaching I’ve ever done,” he said. “I just said, ‘Have fun. This is the most fun you’re ever going to have. You’re playing in a national tournament. If you’re going to make mistakes playing hard and just go out and have fun.’ They did it. They were ready to play.”

Other Action

Sioux Falls Jr. Stampede 2, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets 0

Dysen Skinner kicked aside 30 shots, including 14 in the third period, as the Sioux Falls Stampede blanked the Ohio Blue Jackets. Josh Fricks and Nick Behrend scored unassisted goals to pace the Stampede attack. Max DeCoursey stood tall in net for the Blue Jackets, stopping 20 shots in a losing effort.

Team Wisconsin 5, Neponset Valley River Rats 4

Jordan Steinmetz and Jack Gorniak each scored a pair of goals as Team Wisconsin edged out the Neponset Valley, 5-4. Brandon Connett also pitched in with a goal, while Sam Dunn stopped 23 shots, including several with the game on the line. Benjamin Pirko and Nicholas Wildgoose paced the River Rat attack with a goal and an assist apiece.

Shattuck-St. Mary’s 6, PAL Jr. Islanders 2

Shattuck-St. Mary’s used a balanced offensive attack and strong goaltending from Jack Robbel to rally from an early deficit to notch the win. Noah Prokop, Jeremy Davidson, Bobby Trivigno and Niko Esposito netted second-period goals to erase an early Jr. Islanders lead. Bennett Norlin and Michael Schumacher added goals in the final frame. Giancarlo Romano’s shot from the point staked the Jr. Islanders a first-period lead.  

Yale Bulldogs 8, Little Caesars 7

The Yale Bulldogs jumped out to a 5-1 lead and then held off a late charge from Little Caesars to escape with the victory. Conor Leighton spearheaded the Bulldog attack with a pair of goals, and Nicholas Hale added a goal and an assist. Danny DeBlouw led the Little Caesars rally with a pair of power-play goals and also added an assist.

North Jersey Avalanche 6, Tampa Scorpions 1

Derek Contessa’s first-period goal snapped a 1-1 tie as the North Jersey Avalanche went on the bury the Tampa Scorpions. Thomas Fink added a pair of goals to give goaltender Justin Robbins more than enough support. Tristan Sawyer notched the lone goal for the Scorpions. 

Culver Academy Eagles 5, Anaheim Jr. Ducks 1

Nate Clurman triggered the Culver Academy Eagles attack from his blueline perch, notching a pair of goals to shoot down the Anaheim Jr. Ducks. Jack MacNab added a first period marker and Collin Heinold and Nolan Walker pitched in a goal apiece to provide Alex Wisco (21 saves) with more than enough offensive cushion. Michael Boutoussov had the lone goal for the Ducks.

Mid-Fairfield Chiefs 4, Colorado Thunderbirds 3, SO

In a nip-and-tuck affair, Christian LeSeuer’s lone shootout goal proved to be the difference. It capped a fitting night for the Mid-Fairfield forward who provided two-thirds of his team’s offense in regulation. Colin O’Connor also added a power-play goal for the Chiefs. Strauss Mann was solid throughout the game but especially in the shootout, stopping all five shooters he faced. The Thunderbirds sported a balanced attack with Jacob Adkins, Nathan Hodges and Graham Mansfield each finding the back of the net.