Childs Shuts Out NY in Team DC Opener
Adam Childs made 31 saves, including several big ones early in the game, and Trevor Dixon recorded two goals and an assist as Team DC opened the 2016 USA Hockey America's Hockey Showcase with a 4-0 victory against New York in the first game of the tournament Thursday morning at the RMU Island Sports Center in Pittsburgh.
Dixon and his line contributed seven points for Team DC, with Devin Lowe adding a goal and assist and Jason Vogel contributing a pair of helpers. Trevor Van Vleck netted a third-period short-handed goal for Team D.C.'s fourth tally.
"I thought we were a little sluggish early with the early morning start after a long travel day yesterday," Team DC Head Coach Rob Trantin said. "You have to expect that. But I was pleased with how we responded in the second period, and it's always good to get that first one under your belt. Now we should have plenty of time to rest and get ready for our next game against a tough Massachusetts team."
Long stretches of Thursday's game were evenly contested, with New York getting the better of the play early before Team DC took complete control for a four-minute stretch about midway through the second period. New York hit the crossbar in the game's first three minutes, and Childs turned aside at least three early golden opportunities, giving his teammates time to find their legs.
After a scoreless opening frame Team DC took control during a four-minute span of the second period, which proved to be the difference. Dixon opened the scoring at 4:43 with a heroic individual effort, criss-crossing with Lowe as he entered the offensive zone, taking a big hit between the circles and then managing to fire home his first of the game over netminder Joseph Werner's shoulder.
Lowe struck at 8:11, sneaking a wrist shot past Werner right after an offensive-zone faceoff win by Vogel, and Dixon buried his second just 33 seconds later after great work in the corner by both Lowe and Vogel.
From that point on New York showed renewed energy and kept the pressure up for the remainder of the second period and into the third, but Van Vleck's tough-angle shot from the corner after a strong short-handed forecheck took the life out of New York once and for all.
New York outshot Team DC, 31-24, and created a few more quality scoring opportunities than the DC boys, but Childs' steady goaltending and that key four-minute stretch in the second period were too much for the New Yorkers to overcome.
Team DC returns to action tomorrow against Massachusetts at 1 p.m. at the Island Sports Center before concluding pool play at 1 p.m. Saturday vs. Washington. Massachusetts faces Washington Thursday night.
America's Showcase brings all-star teams of high school juniors and seniors from all over the United States together to compete in a showcase tournament format in front of junior, NCAA and ACHA hockey coaches and scouts. As many as 150 scouts are expected to attend this weekend's event.
