GROWING THE GAME

Following practice on Monday, head coach Maura Crowell (Mansfield, Mass.), assistant coach Josh Sciba (Westland, Mich.), forward Casey O'Brien (Milton, Mass.) and forward Dominique Petrie (Hermosa Beach, Calif.) sat down for a panel with members of the LA Lions Girls Hockey Club. 

O'Brien and Petrie answered questions about when they started playing hockey and how they are in the position they are today. The two also gave advice to the younger girls on how to become better players while making sure to always have fun on the ice.

Crowell and Sciba fielded questions on what they specifically look for when scouting players for their universities and discussed their experiences coaching with USA Hockey.

TAKING ON THE JR. KINGS

On Sunday night, the U.S. Under-18 Women's National Team skated with the LA Jr. Kings in a pre-tournament scrimmage. The teams played two 17 minute periods followed by a third frame with each team getting the opportunity to practice special teams with three power play and shorthanded opportunities. Following the third stanza the two teams took part in a five minute four-on-four session followed by a five minute three-on-three session and a five player shootout.

NEW YEAR'S EVE

Team USA will celebrate entering the new year together tonight at the team hotel. Following dinner, the team will stick together and watch the U.S. National Junior Team take on Finland in its final preliminary round game at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship.