Team DC 2016 Showcase Wrap-up
Team DC got to step up and play against an A Pool opponent on the final day of the 2016 America's Hockey Showcase, and dug itself a hole that it could not climb out of in an 8-3 loss to Indiana. Despite the setback, Team DC fought hard to the end and outscored Indiana 2-1 in the third period to finish the tournament with a 1-2-1 record.
After falling behind 5-0 in the first period DC played Indiana to a 3-all draw the rest of the way, with Drew Hartley notching a pair of goals and Ty Brandt adding the other tally. Tiger Lindsay, Matt Cremen and Jimmy Zinter picked up assists for the losing side.
The final game did not take away from what was a very competitive showing by the DC boys, who opened with a 4-0 win against New York before jumping to a 2-0 lead in the second contest against Massachusetts. DC was unable to hold that lead, falling 3-2 in a shootout before losing the final round-robin contest, 5-3, to the team from the state of Washington. That game was tied at 3 entering the third period before Washington scored on a power play to take the lead for good just over two minutes into the final frame.
A shootout goal here, or a lucky bounce or two there and DC might have advanced to the playoff round. Despite the close losses Team DC Coach Rob Trantin was pleased with the effort - if not the end results.
"Our last two round-robin games really could have gone either way," Trantin said. "We were in the driver's seat against Massachusetts and were tied heading into the third period against Washington. If those games end differently we are talking about a very successful tournament for us. If you consider that we played at times without two of our top six forwards and for most of two games without one of our top defensemen, overall we have to be encouraged. Some of our veteran players really stepped up and some newcomers really performed well and got a taste of what it will take for us to succeed next year."
One veteran and one newcomer led the offensive attack as second-year player Trevor Dixon and rookie Devin Lowe tied for the team scoring lead with five points apiece. Dixon did it with a team-best three goals, while Lowe paced DC with four assists.
Drew Hartley tied Dixon for the team lead in goals and was third in points with three. Defenseman Matt Cremen tied Hartley in points with a goal and two assists, while Trevor VanVleck (1G, 1A) and Jason Vogel (2A) were next on the scoring list. Billy Jenkins, Brandt and Jackson Harnois each contributed a single goal, while Lindsay, Zinter, John Cardellicchio and Kevin Polak rounded out the Team DC scoring with one assist each.
Adam Childs picked up the lone win in goal for DC, recording the opening-game shutout and finishing with a 2.50 goals-against average. Charlie O'Mara was the netminder vs. Massachusetts and Indiana, finishing with a GAA of 4.77.
Rounding out the squad were Denis Kuzminov, Austin Kelly, Jacob Kaplan and Zack Cosgrove.
With several players from the 2016 team expected to return for 2017 having a year of experience under their belt, there appears to be no reason that Team DC wouldn't be a strong contender to advance out of pool play in 2017.
"This was a great learning experience for us, and we were very close to really having a great showing,' Trantin said. "I already heard some of our kids talking about taking it a step further next year. As players and coaches we should know exactly what to expect, and the goal will be to advance out our pool to the playoff round in 2017.
"Once again every one of our players got spoken to by a college or junior scout, so we are very pleased with that and hope to continue to give kids who want to keep playing beyond high school an opportunity to get seen by people who can help the make that happen."
Team DC will be holding 2017 tryouts sometime in March. The 2017 showcase again will take place in Pittsburgh March 20-24. Check back here for more tryout and event information.
