Michigan Drops Exhibition Finale to U.S. NTDP U-18 Team

Friday, October 12

Ann Arbor, Mich.

7:30 PM

Michigan

0-1

U.S. NTDP U-18 Team (ex)

6-1

USNTDP

Michigan

Strauss Mann

Michigan Drops Exhibition Finale to U.S. NTDP U-18 Team

10/12/2018 11:01:00 PM | Ice Hockey

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: TJ Garske

» Jack Becker had two of Michigan's three goals.
» Josh Norris netted a shorthanded tally in the second period.
» Michigan honored its 1998 NCAA National Championship during the first intermission.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Red Berenson Rink at Yost Ice Arena)
Score: U.S. NTDP 6, #9 Michigan 3
Next U-M Event: Friday, Oct. 19 -- vs. Western Michigan (Yost Ice Arena), 7:30 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan ice hockey team fell to the United States Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 Team, 6-3, in an exhibition game on Friday night (Oct. 12) at Red Berenson Rink at Yost Ice Arena.

The NTDP got on the board nine minutes into the contest and doubled its lead three minutes later. The Maize and Blue cut its deficit in half when sophomore Jack Becker scored 25 seconds later. Junior Nick Pastujov put a shot on goal from the slot and the rebound popped out right to Becker, who was on the doorstep to tap it home.

The U-18 National Team reclaimed a two-goal lead minutes later when it scored a power-play goal. Once again, the Wolverines had a quick answer with Becker stepping up once again. Nick Pastujov picked up the puck at the half-wall and cycled the puck down to his brother, sophomore Mike Pastujov, who fired it on net. Once again, the rebound found Becker all alone in front of the net and he was able to bury his second of the night.

After the first intermission, the USNTDP wasted little time in extending its lead back to two goals for a third time, scoring eight seconds into the second stanza. The U-18s picked up another goal in quick succession, scoring again at the 1:52 mark to take a 5-2 lead. Michigan would get its third goal two minutes later, when sophomore Josh Norris finished on a shorthanded breakaway. Norris picked the defenseman's pocket at the blue line and was off to the races, sliding the puck short side past the goaltender before crashing into the net.

The young Americans would add one more goal before the game ended, scoring on the power play just 32 seconds after the Wolverines' shorthanded tally.

With the loss, Michigan's record against the USNTDP falls to 16-3 all-time, dating back to the program's inaugural season in 1996.

The Maize and Blue will be back in action next Friday (Oct. 19) when the will host Western Michigan in the first game of a home-and-home series with the Broncos. Next Friday's contest at Yost Ice Arena is scheduled for a 7:30p p.m. start. The Wolverines then will travel to Kalamazoo, Michigan, to take on their former CCHA foe next Saturday (Oct. 20) at 7:05 p.m.