Monday, December 12, 2011

DI GIUSEPPE GETS GOAL, ASSIST IN CANADIAN JUNIOR INTRA-SQUAD GAME

Press Release

CALGARY – Phil Di Giuseppe of the University of Michigan had a goal and an assist to lead team White to a 3-2 win over Red in Sunday's intra-squad game at Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp.

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Christian Thomas of the Oshawa Generals and Michael Ferland of the Brandon Wheat Kings also scored for White.

Brett Bulmer of the Kelowna Rockets, Jérôme Gauthier-Leduc of the Rimouski Oceanic and Mark McNeill of the Prince Albert Raiders had assists.

Devante Smith-Pelly of the NHL's Anaheim Ducks and Freddie Hamilton of the Niagara IceDogs replied for Red in front of about 1,500 spectators.

Ottawa 67's defenceman Cody Ceci contributed two assists. Nathan Beaulieu of the Saint John Sea Dogs and Brenden Kichton of the Spokane Chiefs collected assists.

Medicine Hat Tigers goaltender Tyler Bunz stopped 14 of 15 shots for White before he was relieved by Scott Wedgewood of the Plymouth Whalers. Wedgewood was the busiest goalie of the night, making 22 saves on 23 shots.

Mark Visentin of the IceDogs turned away 11 of 12 shots in his half of the game for Red. Louis Domingue of the Quebec Remparts then gave up two goals on 16 shots.

The opening two periods looked like pre-season hockey with ragged passing and only the occasional hit. The players settled in more in the third period to generate more scoring chances and shots on net.

"It started out a little bit slow, a little big sluggish," Canadian head coach Don Hay said. "The third period was a little more lively and we had more people going to the net and more pucks going to the net."

Di Giuseppe, of Maple, Ont., scored White's first goal and assisted on Thomas's winner.

"(Hay) said right away 'Don't step up late. Come in and work your hardest' and that's what I'm trying to do," said Di Giuseppe.

Beaulieu, Pelly-Smith and Ceci also stood out.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brett Connolly did not play a lot late in the game. He was seen clutching his lower right calf at the end of practice Sunday morning.

"He fell into the boards," Hay said. "It doesn't look too serious. We'll re-evaluate it tomorrow."

A second intra-squad game is scheduled for Monday night. Hay will make his first round of cuts the following morning.

Canada will face a team of university all-stars Tuesday before the 22-player team is named Wednesday.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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