2011 WU Update: Team USA Plays Exhibition Games in Vermont

VERMONT – The Men’s ice hockey team of the USA participated in a three-games series in preparation for the ice hockey tournament at the Winter Universiade in Erzurum.

Michael Macari (Dearborn Heights, Mich./Univ. of Michigan Dearborn) scored the game-winner on the power play with just over one minute remaining in overtime, as the 2011 U.S. Men’s National University Team earned a 5-4 overtime win over NCAA Division III Castleton State College on December 27th at the Spartan Arena in Rutland, Vermont, in its first of three pre-tournament games. “I am very impressed with the team in its first game together”, said Dave Debol, head coach of the 2011 U.S. Men’s National University Team. “We moved the puck well, and when we met a little adversity, we came back and won it in overtime, so I am very pleased with everything I saw tonight.”

On December 28^th, Team USA travelled to South Burlington for its second game. Brandon Contratto (West Bloomfield, Mich./Univ. of Michigan Dearborn) and Tom Ciaverilla (Novi, Mich./Adrian College) each notched a goal, but the 2011 U.S. Men’s National University Team fell to NCAA Division II Saint Michael’s College, 3-2 at C. Douglas Cairns Arena. “It was one of those games where we outshot them, but faced a strong goaltender in net” Coach Dave Debol commented. “It’s a learning experience for the team. I thought we played well enough to win, but we have to bury the puck.”

On December 29th, the team played against the Catamounts of the Unviersity of Vermont. Kevin Kranker (Lake Orion, Mich./Oakland Univ.) notched a goal and Tom Ciaverilla (Novi, Mich./Adrian College) collected an assist, but the 2011 U.S. Men’s National University Team dropped a 7-1 decision to NCAA Division I University of Vermont at Gutterson Fieldhouse in its final game of the pre-tournament series. “In the first period, we were a little bit taken aback by Vermont’s size and speed. We made some mistakes and then made some adjustments”, explained Coach Debol. “This is one of the games we wanted to have, to prepare ourselves for the World University Games overseas next month.”

Highlights of this last game can be seen on

(Source: USA Hockey)