Princeton University
U.S. Under-18 Team (Exhibition)
Fouladgar-Mercer and Sproat Each Score Twice as Men's Hockey Down's U.S. Under-18 Team 5-3
January 25, 2004 | Men's Ice Hockey
Jan. 25, 2004
Box Score
Princeton, N.J. - Senior Sharam Fouladgar-Mercer and sophomore Dustin Sproat each posted a pair of goals as the Princeton men's hockey team defeated the U.S. National Under-18 Team 5-3 Sunday afternoon at Baker Rink. Sproat's second goal at 3:45 of the third period proved to be the game-winner as it capped a furious three minute span that saw each team score twice.
Following a scoreless first period that saw Princeton outshoot the all-star team of the best high school seniors in the United States by a 11-7 margin, the Under-18 team took a lead at 8:41 of the second period when Bryan Lerg scored on his second chance from the doorstep. That lead lasted just over four minutes when Sproat got his first goal of the game. Sophomore Brett Westgarth carried the puck into the USA zone and blasted a slapshot that U.S. goaltender Jordan Pearce stopped. The rebound however went right to Sproat in the left face-off circle and caromed off him into the goal. Freshman Grant Goeckner-Zoeller also posted an assist on that goal.
Princeton made it 2-1 with 43 seconds remaining in the period to take a lead to the locker rooms for the second intermission. Senior Dan Hursh skated into the zone and fed Fouladgar-Mercer as he sped towards the net. Fouladgar-Mercer redirected the pass over Pearce to give Princeton the lead. Freshman B.J. Mackasey earned the first of his two assists on the play.
Team USA started the third period strong, scoring on its first two shots to take a 3-2 lead at the 1:35 mark. First Chad Kolarik caused a turnover and scored, then Jack Skille fed Phil Kessel a one-timer from in front.
The lead was short-lived though as Princeton evened up the score 23 seconds later on Fouladgar-Mercer's second goal. Mackasey fed him a pass and he one-timed it by Pearce to make the score 3-3. Freshman Max Cousins earned an assist on the play.
It took just another 1:47 before Sproat scored his second of the game to make it 4-3. Goeckner-Zoeller picked the puck up on the boards and fed Sproat for a one-timer from the face-off circle. Sproat sent a rocket that beat Pearce before he was able to get across. Princeton added an insurance goal late while shorthanded. Sophomore Brian Carthas sprunf Hursh on a breakaway and he scored on the backhand to make to 5-3.
All three Tiger goalies played a period in net. Sophomore Eric Leroux stopped seven shots in the first, freshman B.J. Sklapsky stopped six in the second and junior Trevor Clay steered away six in the third and earned the win. Pearce made 29 saves in the loss.
Princeton resumes its ECAC schedule this coming weekend at Clarkson and St. Lawrence.