First things first: The USHL released their 2021-22 schedule last Friday. Another regional based schedule, presumably to reduce travel costs for the teams.
USHL 2021-2022 Thread
- Thread starter JMCx4
- Start date
Bonk
Registered User
Consistent with the USHL's website all but ignoring last season. They're just now trying to catch up.Welcoming new coaches ahead of the 2020-21 season in a story written in August of 2021?
Season starts Thursday @ Noon EDT, Green Bay Gamblers vs. Waterloo Black Hawks @ UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. This roving reporter will be posting observations in this thread from my Fall Classic visit. I tried to set a schedule of attendance that would allow me to see at least one game per team, but eventually realized watching that much hockey in 4 days was almost as hazardous to my health as sitting in an ice cold arena for that many periods surrounded by maskless hockey fans. So my reports will be spotty, but first-person. 
NTDP
Registered User
Season starts Thursday @ Noon EDT, Green Bay Gamblers vs. Waterloo Black Hawks @ UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. This roving reporter will be posting observations in this thread from my Fall Classic visit. I tried to set a schedule of attendance that would allow me to see at least one game per team, but eventually realized watching that much hockey in 4 days was almost as hazardous to my health as sitting in an ice cold arena for that many periods surrounded by maskless hockey fans. So my reports will be spotty, but first-person.
Enjoy the trip, was there for the first time in 2019 and was hoping to get there this year. Love that event
HUGE number of scouts from NHL & NCAA & NAHL (and probably other levels) filling most of the seating @UMPC Rink 2 for Game #1. Us fans get the seats near the glass.
The first 8 minutes of the opening game @ Fall Classic is summed up by this tweet ...
Waterloo was all speed & Green Bay was all chase during the early part of the 1st period. But the Gamblers finally caught their collective breath & took control of the game, which was over surprisingly quickly. Final Score = GB 5 - WAT 2.
Waterloo was all speed & Green Bay was all chase during the early part of the 1st period. But the Gamblers finally caught their collective breath & took control of the game, which was over surprisingly quickly. Final Score = GB 5 - WAT 2.
Me 'n' Mrs. JMC also attended Game #3, Madison vs. Des Moines. Both teams had vocal supporters in attendance, with the Bucs fans being particularly boisterous. The Capitols opened the scoring just a few shifts in, their 1st goal in 19 months. 
But the Buccaneers didn't let that rattle them, and scored 4 goals in the following 20 minutes of play to all but seal the game. Des Moines forechecked aggressively & clogged up center ice effectively until the last 10 minutes of Period 3. But Madison's shooters were still kept on the perimeter against strong Team D, even as things got chippy & the Bucs took unnecessary penalties. Final Score = DM 6 - MAD 3.
That was it for the old folks on Day #1. The rink got increasingly cold as the afternoon wore on, which seemed to reduce the early puck dancing but did nothing to increase our rinkside comfort. More layers are in order for the rest of this event.
But the Buccaneers didn't let that rattle them, and scored 4 goals in the following 20 minutes of play to all but seal the game. Des Moines forechecked aggressively & clogged up center ice effectively until the last 10 minutes of Period 3. But Madison's shooters were still kept on the perimeter against strong Team D, even as things got chippy & the Bucs took unnecessary penalties. Final Score = DM 6 - MAD 3.That was it for the old folks on Day #1. The rink got increasingly cold as the afternoon wore on, which seemed to reduce the early puck dancing but did nothing to increase our rinkside comfort. More layers are in order for the rest of this event.
The JMCs attended Games #6 and #8 of the new USHL season on Friday afternoon. Another cold but entertaining pair of matches.
First on the schedule was Madison v Tri-City. Both teams had a rooting section in the stands, but I was disappointed with the Tri-City crowd (who are typically non-stop chatter & chirp) displaying only occasional emotion. The Capitols started their second game with more energy than Thursday's opener, but the Storm scored first early in the opening period. MAD was unable to beat TC's 6'1" 201 lb. rookie goalie & Quinnipiac commit Chase Clark until deep into the 2nd. The game ended regulation @ 1-1, then Tri-City earned the victory in 3-on-3 OT play on a goalmouth scramble tally by BU commit forward Jeremy Wilmer. No fault of Madison's rookie goalie Marino Ramirez (Chicago native & Shattuck St. Mary's product), who played a very solid game in the Capitols' net. Final Score = Tri-City Storm 2-Madison Capitols 1.
The late afternoon game @ UPMC Lemieux Pitt-ed Omaha against Dubuque. More vocal fans-in-stands for each side. This game looked destined for OT as well, with the teams trading pairs of second & early third period goals. But Pittsburgh native forward Shawn O'Donnell scored the ultimate game winner @ 8:19 of the 3rd, and his teammate & Denver commit Tristan Lemyre wrapped up the scoring at the 18 minute mark on an ENG. The Lancers losing goaltender Kevin Pasche remained on the bench after that, with a 6-on-4 advantage in the closing 1:46 after a final DBQ minor penalty, but they could not beat the Saints' Denver commit goaltender Paxton Geisel. Final Score = Dubuque Fighting Saints 4-Omaha Lancers 2.
ETA: At least a half-dozen players for the Omaha Lancers were skating without name badges on their jerseys. Last-minute recruits, or not enough budget for the equipment manager to buy a needle & a spool of thread?
First on the schedule was Madison v Tri-City. Both teams had a rooting section in the stands, but I was disappointed with the Tri-City crowd (who are typically non-stop chatter & chirp) displaying only occasional emotion. The Capitols started their second game with more energy than Thursday's opener, but the Storm scored first early in the opening period. MAD was unable to beat TC's 6'1" 201 lb. rookie goalie & Quinnipiac commit Chase Clark until deep into the 2nd. The game ended regulation @ 1-1, then Tri-City earned the victory in 3-on-3 OT play on a goalmouth scramble tally by BU commit forward Jeremy Wilmer. No fault of Madison's rookie goalie Marino Ramirez (Chicago native & Shattuck St. Mary's product), who played a very solid game in the Capitols' net. Final Score = Tri-City Storm 2-Madison Capitols 1.
The late afternoon game @ UPMC Lemieux Pitt-ed Omaha against Dubuque. More vocal fans-in-stands for each side. This game looked destined for OT as well, with the teams trading pairs of second & early third period goals. But Pittsburgh native forward Shawn O'Donnell scored the ultimate game winner @ 8:19 of the 3rd, and his teammate & Denver commit Tristan Lemyre wrapped up the scoring at the 18 minute mark on an ENG. The Lancers losing goaltender Kevin Pasche remained on the bench after that, with a 6-on-4 advantage in the closing 1:46 after a final DBQ minor penalty, but they could not beat the Saints' Denver commit goaltender Paxton Geisel. Final Score = Dubuque Fighting Saints 4-Omaha Lancers 2.
ETA: At least a half-dozen players for the Omaha Lancers were skating without name badges on their jerseys. Last-minute recruits, or not enough budget for the equipment manager to buy a needle & a spool of thread?
Last edited:
NTDP
Registered User
He was impressive in last season's playoff championship run for the Steel. The JMC's will stick around UPMC Lemieux tomorrow evening for the CHI v Sioux Falls Fall Classic wrap-up game. Oughta be a good way to close the event.
Game #15, Fargo vs. USNTDP, had enough action that The JMCs stopped while we were ahead for the 2021 Fall Classic event. The U18 boys - who had the overwhelming majority of supporters in the UPMC Lemieux Rink 1 stands - came out like they were shot from a cannon, scoring on their first shift @ 0:18 (goal by Wisconsin native forward Isaac Howard, who added an assist on a later Team USA tally). Fargo was obviously caught off-guard by the speed & physicality of their opponents, as well as their crisp & accurate passing (cross & up ice) and their aggressive forechecking & backchecking. The Force were lucky to get to the first intermission at just a 3-0 deficit, with Howard & Michigan commit Frank Nazar III & Minnesota native Jimmy Snuggerud each recording 2 points.
FGO must've gotten a serious pep talk during the initial break, as they finally started hitting the U.S. team in all three zones and became aggressive on the forecheck to counter the U18's speed. That strategy paid off, with the Force scoring 3 goals vs. 1 to exit the middle period @ 4-3. Six different Fargo players recorded points in that period, with Clarkson U bound 6'1" 193 lb. forward Erik Bargholtz starting the run on an unassisted shorthanded goal about 8 minutes in. The second period flow was interrupted by a total of 11 minor penalties (6 for USNTDP & 5 for Fargo), which contributed to slowing the game to the Force's advantage while yielding 2 extra-man goals for them.
Fargo started the 3rd period with more energy, and Latvian forward Felikss Gavars tied the game @ 2:14 to lift the small contingent of Fargo fans out of their seats. From that point foward, it seemed like several of the USNTDP players were outta gas; but their fresher teammates did manage to attack the Fargo zone & get chances regularly throughout the remainder of regulation.
Fargo starting goalie & BU commit Anton Castro suffered either one of those mysterious "lower body injuries" or a charley horse late in the 3rd; but with a brief pause for trainer intervention, he finished regulation holding on to the 4-4 tie & returned for the OT session. Each team had 2 SOGs in the 3-on-3 extra period, but Fargo completed their rally on a GWG by Calgary native Tyson Gross with the assist from Gavars. Final Score = Fargo Force 5-Team USA (U18) 4.
It was a good way to end our USHL Fall Classic experience (especially since I was sporting my Fargo jersey - sorry, @NTDP), and I'd recommend future attendance for any hockey fan who can appreciate junior hockey & the opportunities the game brings to these young athletes.
FGO must've gotten a serious pep talk during the initial break, as they finally started hitting the U.S. team in all three zones and became aggressive on the forecheck to counter the U18's speed. That strategy paid off, with the Force scoring 3 goals vs. 1 to exit the middle period @ 4-3. Six different Fargo players recorded points in that period, with Clarkson U bound 6'1" 193 lb. forward Erik Bargholtz starting the run on an unassisted shorthanded goal about 8 minutes in. The second period flow was interrupted by a total of 11 minor penalties (6 for USNTDP & 5 for Fargo), which contributed to slowing the game to the Force's advantage while yielding 2 extra-man goals for them.
Fargo started the 3rd period with more energy, and Latvian forward Felikss Gavars tied the game @ 2:14 to lift the small contingent of Fargo fans out of their seats. From that point foward, it seemed like several of the USNTDP players were outta gas; but their fresher teammates did manage to attack the Fargo zone & get chances regularly throughout the remainder of regulation.
Fargo starting goalie & BU commit Anton Castro suffered either one of those mysterious "lower body injuries" or a charley horse late in the 3rd; but with a brief pause for trainer intervention, he finished regulation holding on to the 4-4 tie & returned for the OT session. Each team had 2 SOGs in the 3-on-3 extra period, but Fargo completed their rally on a GWG by Calgary native Tyson Gross with the assist from Gavars. Final Score = Fargo Force 5-Team USA (U18) 4.
It was a good way to end our USHL Fall Classic experience (especially since I was sporting my Fargo jersey - sorry, @NTDP), and I'd recommend future attendance for any hockey fan who can appreciate junior hockey & the opportunities the game brings to these young athletes.
Last edited:
A quick look at team stats from tbe USHL's Week No. 1 for the 2021-22 sesson ...
- Defending champs Chicago Steel went 2-0 at the Fall Classic, with 9 GA and 3 GA.
- The Des Moines Buccaneers & Tri-City Storm also went 2-0 at the season-opening event. The Bucs notched a League-high 12 GF.
- In their return to play after a year off, the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders were 1-1 with just 1 GF in each game. But they "dominated" another stat, with their 62 PIMs outpacing Des Moines & the Muskegon Lumberjacks by 25 mins in the bin.
- There were 3 winless clubs coming out of the Classic, all Eastern Conference teams: the returning Madison Capitols, the Lumberjacks & the Yougstown Phantoms. MAD had an OT loss & Muskegon lost a shootout game, giving each of them 1 standings point. Both Phantoms losses were in regulation.
NTDP
Registered User
Game #15, Fargo vs. USNTDP, had enough action that The JMCs stopped while we were ahead for the 2021 Fall Classic event. The U18 boys - who had the overwhelming majority of supporters in the UPMC Lemieux Rink 1 stands - came out like they were shot from a cannon, scoring on their first shift @ 0:18 (goal by Wisconsin native forward Isaac Howard, who added an assist on a later Team USA tally). Fargo was obviously caught off-guard by the speed & physicality of their opponents, as well as their crisp & accurate passing (cross & up ice) and their aggressive forechecking & backchecking. The Force were lucky to get to the first intermission at just a 3-0 deficit, with Howard & Michigan commit Frank Nazar III & Minnesota native Jimmy Snuggerud each recording 2 points.
FGO must've gotten a serious pep talk during the initial break, as they finally started hitting the U.S. team in all three zones and became aggressive on the forecheck to counter the U18's speed. That strategy paid off, with the Force scoring 3 goals vs. 1 to exit the middle period @ 4-3. Six different Fargo players recorded points in that period, with Clarkson U bound 6'1" 193 lb. forward Erik Bargholtz starting the run on an unassisted shorthanded goal about 8 minutes in. The second period flow was interrupted by a total of 11 minor penalties (6 for USNTDP & 5 for Fargo), which contributed to slowing the game to the Force's advantage while yielding 2 extra-man goals for them.
Fargo started the 3rd period with more energy, and Latvian forward Felikss Gavars tied the game @ 2:14 to lift the small contingent of Fargo fans out of their seats. From that point foward, it seemed like several of the USNTDP players were outta gas; but their fresher teammates did manage to attack the Fargo zone & get chances regularly throughout the remainder of regulation.
Fargo starting goalie & BU commit Anton Castro suffered either one of those mysterious "lower body injuries" or a charley horse late in the 3rd; but with a brief pause for trainer intervention, he finished regulation holding on to the 4-4 tie & returned for the OT session. Each team had 2 SOGs in the 3-on-3 extra period, but Fargo completed their rally on a GWG by Calgary native Tyson Gross with the assist from Gavars. Final Score = Fargo Force 5-Team USA (U18) 4.
It was a good way to end our USHL Fall Classic experience (especially since I was sporting my Fargo jersey - sorry, @NTDP), and I'd recommend future attendance for any hockey fan who can appreciate junior hockey & the opportunities the game brings to these young athletes.
Solid reports from this event! I agree. I was really impressed with this Fargo team (and Sioux City I might add). The USHL is as good as it's ever been and was some very entertaining hockey.
beastintheeast
Registered User
- Mar 27, 2013
- 3,158
- 900
Hey Steel Fans
Just wondering I noticed that Moldenhauer is not dressing or playing. Is he injured or a healthy scratch.
Just wondering I noticed that Moldenhauer is not dressing or playing. Is he injured or a healthy scratch.
Users who are viewing this thread
Latest posts
-
Rumor: Things Not Left Unsaid - Flyers Roster Rumors And Media Mentions V: 2025 Offseason (For Us At Least) (34 Viewers)- Latest: SolidSnakeUS
-
-
-
-
