PLYMOUTH, MI - Against a team of future NHL stars, the #2 Utica University men's ice hockey team just couldn't find a way past. Salvatore Guzzo scored the first two goals of the game to help the home team out to a 4-0 lead, and the Pioneers never caught up as they fell by a 6-2 score to the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 Team at USA Hockey Arena.
The loss halts Utica's bid at a three-game win streak against the 18u squad, with the last loss to the NTDP's elder squad happening at the start of the 2009-10 season.
The USA Hockey National Team Development Program's Under-18 team is composed of many of the nation's top draft-eligible players for the upcoming 2023 NHL Draft. In Utica's games against the NTDP's Under-17 team two seasons ago, the Pioneers played against six first round picks in the 2022 NHL Draft, including third overall pick Logan Cooley. In their last outing against the 18u squad in 2018, the Pioneers won 5-4 over a team that featured 2019 first overall pick Jack Hughes.
With the game being an exhibition contest, the Pioneers maintain an overall record of 8-2-1 and a nine-game unbeaten streak into 2023.
Shots for the game were 33-22 in favor of Team USA. The USA Power Play was 1-for-6, while Utica was 0-for-1.
Brandon Osmundson (Virginia Beach, VA/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL)) and Lucas Herrman netted goals for the Pioneers, with Mic Curran (Arlington, MA/Curry College (CCC)), Remy Parker (Montclair, NJ/University of Maine (NCAA DI)), and Khristian Acosta (Port Monmouth, NJ/Mercyhurst University (NCAA DI)) picking up assists. Team USA was led by a hat trick performance from Salvatore Guzzo, while Will Smith, Ryan Fine, and Alex Weiermair had a goal apiece.
In goal, Bryan Landsberger (Montreal, Quebec/Nepean Raiders (CCHL)) made 27 saves in the loss. Michael Chambre and Carson Musser combined in the winning effort for Team USA.
The Stars and Stripes dictated the terms of engagement throughout the first period, and brought along a familiar looking sight alongside their effort. The evening was the national team's Teddy Bear Toss night, and Guzzo scored the goal to start that event at 13:25 for a 1-0 lead that held through the end of the first period.
Team USA added three more goals in the second period. Guzzo scored his second at 4:10, Alex Weiermair netted the 3-0 goal at 9:39, and Ryan Fine finished building a 4-0 lead with his goal at 15:17 of the second period.
After the fourth goal for the home team, the Pioneers got a word in quickly before the end of the period. Lucas Herrmann (Elma, NY/University of New Hampshire (NCAA DI)) netted an even strength goal at 15:49, with Mic Curran (Arlington, MA/Curry College (CCC)) and Remy Parker (Montclair, NJ/University of Maine (NCAA DI)) bagging assists as the Pioneers trailed 4-1 after 40 minutes.
As the third period approached its halfway point, Team USA opened up a 5-1 advantage. Will Smith netted the goal at 7:55 to put the home team up by a quartet. Utica answered that tally back at 9:59 on an even strength goal by Brandon Osmundson (Virginia Beach, VA/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL)). Khristian Acosta (Port Monmouth, NJ/Mercyhurst University (NCAA DI)) picked up the assist on the goal that made the score 5-2. Guzzo's hat trick goal closed out the scoring for the night as the NTDP prevailed by a 6-2 score.
The Pioneers open up second half play in the new year in an important UCHC series at Manhattanville. The games will be held on January 6th and 7th at Manhattanville's Playland Ice Casino.
