Will Zellers scored twice, including the overtime winner, as the Green Bay Gamblers secured a road victory against the NTDP U-17 Team on Friday.
Dylan Johnson made 21 saves, and Will Zellers scored twice, including the game-winning goal, as the Green Bay Gamblers defeated the U.S. National Team Development Program U-17 Team 5-4 in overtime on Friday night.
Zellers tallied his first goal of the game early in the third period after Aidan Park led a 2-on-1 rush up-ice. The goal marked Zellers' tenth of the season and extended his point streak to eight games.
In addition to Zellers, Anthony Cardilli, Tanner Bruender, and Niles Benson also contributed goals for the Gamblers. Bruender recorded a pair of assists, marking his first multi-point game of the season. With the win, Green Bay improved to 1-0-0-0 in their first matchup this season against the NTDP.
Johnson stopped 21 of 25 shots on goal and earned his third consecutive win. The Gamblers secured their second straight victory, bringing their record to 6-4-0-0 over their last ten games.
Meanwhile, the NTDP is still seeking to gain momentum early in the 2024-25 season. The U-17 and U-18 teams have lost their last eight combined games and hold a record of 1-8-1-0 in their last ten games.
For the NTDP U-17 Team, JP Hurlbert, Sammy Nelson, and Mikey Berchild each scored. Hurlbert netted two goals, achieving his second multi-goal game in the USHL.
Nelson scored on a cross-ice pass from Dayne Beuker in the first period, tying the game at 1-1. Berchild found the back of the net just six seconds into a Team USA power play in the second period.
Hurlbert scored his first goal on a rebound in front of the Green Bay net and added his second just 96 seconds into the third period.
In overtime, both teams combined for only four shots. The Gamblers capitalized on a collision involving Team USA in their offensive zone, allowing them to skate the other way with the puck.
Lukas Peterson was initially stopped during a 2-on-1 rush but managed to regain control and set up Zellers for a blast from the right-wing circle that secured the win for the visitors.