Subject: USA U-18 Team

Yes, I think I have an idea. I don't want to discuss certain strategic issues in a public forum that other NT managers could read, so I'll send you a message.

For any other U.S. manager interested, I'm not too concerned and don't think there's any room for improvement. Feel free to send me a message.

On Sunday, the United States lost 2-3 to the Czech Republic. Shots were 24-37. The United States won 52.4% of the faceoffs. Penalties were 4-9 in the Czech Republics favor. The penalty kill did an admirable job, though the loss of even strength time hurt. Kelly Stockmeyer (RW) in particular was for some reason especially unisciplined. The United States went into the game as the favorite or at least as a strong competitor, but I also knew that the Czech Republic was holding back key talent in its first game, including arguably the best goaltender in the tournament (I have the team scouted).

The United States took and gave up 2 leads only to give up the game with 91 seconds left until overtime. Neither team had an advantage on tactics. It was a devastating loss in a game where the United States did was not trailing for the majority of the game, but it could have been much worse in terms of goal differential due to shot totals and penalties.

The United States lost 5-2 today to Serbia. This is one that the United States should have won on paper and according to all stats other than score. The United States outshot Serbia 33-30. The United States won 56.9% of the faceoofs. Penalties were even. The United States controlled the puck for 52% of the first and about 2/3 of the last two periods. The United States won on tactics in the last two periods using a tactic that was relatively strong.

It looks like Serbia rested for the first two games though and played the final game very high with 3 lines, catching up to the United States in team strength.

Since Poland lost, the United States advanced, but going into the next round with 0 points (since Serbia advanced instead of Poland) is very problematic. Luckily, the United States is about even with Germany and noticeably better than Romania and Spain. There's still a chance at the playoffs with 2 wins (6 points generally gives a good chance at the playoffs if not necessarily a good matchup in the playoffs).

The qualifying round starts with the hardest opponent, Germany, tomorrow. The fight continues!

The United States won 5-4 in overtime today against Germany. After getting 1 point in 4 games in the qualifying round against Germany in the last 4 seasons, this result is very welcome, though it would have been nice to get the third point. Shots were 37-38 in Germany's favor. The United States won 55.9% of the faceoffs. The United States has been consistently strong in this area. The United States took 9 penalties to Germany's 4 penalties. The previously strong penalty kill gave Germany a 3-0 lead in the first half, but the United States scored 4 unanswered goals in the first half of the third period to take the lead. Unfortunately, Germany tied the game, but the captain and star center Ernesto Glass scored the game winner in overtime.

The United States is still in 6th with 2 points and -3 GD, but 3rd place is now only 2 points away. A regulation win against Romania in the worst case scenario would put the United States in a 3 way tie for 3rd place with Serbia and Germany.

The United States is the heavy favorite against Romania, but based on my past experience, upsets are not uncommon, so I won't be taking them lightly. Even so, I like the chances against Romania and then against Spain on Thursday. I believe the race for the playoffs will come down to the last day.

After a disappointing 2-3 shootout loss to Romania yesterday, the United States came through with a 4-2 win against Spain today. The United States outshot Spain consistently, ending at 33-15. The United States won 58.7% of its faceoffs. Penalties were down today at 5. Spain converted on 1 of its power plays. The United States converted on 2 of 3 power plays. It seems that Spain was conserving energy today, but a win is a win.

The United States has finally returned to the playoffs for the 4th time in team history. Unfortunately, the first opponent will be Slovakia. Slovakia has similar goaltending and defense, better offense, and much better shooting. It will be an uphill battle, but a win is not impossible. The United States has upset good teams numerous times in the past in the top division.

If the United States advances, it will play the winner of Germany and Russia. Both of them are beatable. I'm happy to have avoided a potential matchup with France or the Czech Republic in the second round, if the United States can advance.

The United States lost 0-3 today and will end this tournament in the quarterfinals of the top division in its 4th trip to the playoffs.

Poland and Croatia will demote this year to be replaced by Latvia and the Netherlands.

The United States will be in the top division for a 10th season in a row. Only the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia, and Finland have been in the top division for more consecutive seasons counting back from this season at this point.

Looking at next season, Ron Wolf will be another elite goaltender, Chester Hurst was already a second line defense on a team that was strong defensively this season, and Hugo Elias will be a very talented center leading the offense.

It looks like Slovakia went on to win both tournaments. The U.S. U20 hockey team did at least as well against U20 Slovakia as any of the other teams, and the U.S. U18 hockey team did close to as well as the other teams that faced U18 Slovakia.

I still need to look through roughly 3 more pages of my scouting history and update my scouting spreadsheet before I finalize the roster. If you have a good player not yet on the roster, don't worry quite yet.

Progress Report: I just have 29 players to add to my scouting spreadsheet. All of them are 15-16 year olds. Since I don't add 15-16 year olds to the roster (other than the best 16 year old goaltender and good players from teams that are about to fold), I don't really even need to add these players before updating the roster.

I will sort through my spreadsheet and make the final roster selections and cuts when I get back from work before I do anything else. It will be done before the start of day 13.

The lineup if finally finished. The players currently called up will likely remain as the starters/bench, though I might still switch out 2 of the defensemen.

Connor Cook is on the market. He is one of the highest OR 17 year olds. His CL is still perfect at 17. His qualities are not exceptional but still solid.

I'd like to see him go to a team with good facilities (TF/RF 14-15). The current highest bidder seems to have good facilities, and the price should discourage less advanced teams, but there's always a chance that he could still go to a bad team. I'm prepared to bid on him further if necessary, though I already have a lot of similar prospects. If any advanced team is looking for a solid U.S. prospect, Cook might be a good player to pickup.

Cook is now a Serpent. We look forward to his contributions to the team.

The World Championships start today. The first U18 game is against France at 13:00 PPM time. France is slightly stronger in all areas with a much weaker goaltender. The Netherlands is slightly weaker with much weaker goaltending. The Czech Republic will be a challenge. The second game is against the Netherlands, so it will be important to get at least 4 points in the first 2 games. In particular, it will be necessary to win against the 3rd team that would advance to avoid a weak starting point in the next round.

Thank you to the managers who improved their players over the course of the season! It made a significant difference in the starting depth available to the team. Thank you to headhog for acting a consultant for the team with regard to certain key issues and in general this season in addition to helping with scouting opponents!

Good luck to the U20 and senior teams today!

Yesterday the United States managed a win in a difficult game against France. The Czech Republic beat the Netherlands 6-1. Today the United States faces the Netherlands. With a win, even in overtime, the United States would clinch the next round. Even an overtime loss would guarantee that the United States ends up in at worst a three way tie for 2nd, and it would require France to also beat the Czech Republic in regulation today and then an overtime win by the Netherlands tomorrow.

Wolf and the United States shutout the Netherlands 5-0 today. Ernesto Louis scored the gamewinner a little before the halfway mark. Stanford then scored a shorthanded goal assisted by Ernesto Louis (the only goal scored during a power play during the first two games). Over a period of 79 seconds in the third period, the United States scored three more goals, all assisted by Hugo Elias. Mott scored one and assisted on two. Guy Raymond scored one and assisted on one. Chester Hurst scored the other goal.

The Czech Republic beat France 3-1. France and the Netherlands will play each other for the third ticket to the next round tomorrow. The United States and the Czech Republic will play a game that is pretty much the first game of the qualifying round.

Group 1 will combine with group 4. In group 4, Germany and Spain have each advanced with 2 wins each. Romania and Slovenia will play each other tomorrow for the 3rd slot from group 4. Romania and Slovenia are about even in ability.

The World Championships started today. The United States plays in a group with France, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.

Today's game against France was an important game since the game against the Czech Republic will be a challenge, and Sweden also has a competitive team.

France took a 1-0 lead in the first period. Halfway through the second period, Rakeem Bridges scored the 1-1 equalizer with assists from linemates Connor Cook and Dwight Glass. The Bridges-Glass-Cook first line while very strong now consists off a player that was originally terminated and another that was out of shape to start the season. Both players are now elite forwards who also have elite experience for this level. Dwight Glass scored an unassisted goal with 38 seconds left until the game would have headed to overtime. The United States comes out of the game with 3 points.

The Czech Republic beat Sweden 4-2.

Tomorrow, the United States will play the Czech republic. With a win in regulation or overtime, the United States would clinch the next round. If the United States advances, it is likely that this game will count in the next round.