Junior National Team camp news and more--UPDATED

U.S. Junior National Team camp began Sunday and the squad played an exhibition game tonight against Minnesota State. Sophomore Matt Grzelcyk (photo-left) is back for his second camp, while classmate Danny O’Regan is competing for the first time. 2015 recruit Jack Eichel (photo-below), the only underager in camp has created considerable buzz during practice sessions at Minnesota’s Mariucci Arena.  Prior to joining the USA training camp, Eichel had registered at least one point in his last 13 games for the U18s, with 13 goals and 15 assists over that span.

Neither O’Regan nor Grzelcyk was in the line-up for the exhibition game vs MSU, but SB Nation pointed out that this is likely because both had made the first cut [which was confirmed Wednesday morning].

● Recaps of the exhibition game from U.S. of Hockey's Chris Peters and SB Nation's Chris Dilks included very positive assessments of Eichel's performance. He had three shots on goal and hit a post.   

● NHL.com post-game interview with Eichel (video) 

● NHL.com recap 

 "I thought Jack did a good job," [USA Coach Don] Lucia said. "You could see his skill level. He made some plays in real tight areas and that's what makes certain guys special; they can do those things. I thought from a defensive standpoint, he did a good job. We had him out there in the last minute of the game to see how he would react."

Some earlier media coverage of the camp:

● NHL.com: Grzelcyk’s motivation; Eichel’s latest challenge 

● USA Today: Eichel turning heads 

● SB Nation: Training Camp Days 2&3 

● United States of Hockey: Day 2 notes; Exhibition game preview

Looking ahead

2014 recruit Shane Starrett pitched his first USPHL-Premier shutout, stopping 18 shots in Portland’s 2-0 win against Bay State Breakers.

Two future Terriers, 2014 recruit Chase Phelps and 2016 recruits Clayton Keller were all over the scoresheets in Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep's sweep of all three games in the annual Jamboree event it hosts in Faribault, Minn.  Phelps scored four goals and two assists in the three games, while Keller registered two goals and six assists. Both have 30 points in 27 games, tied for third in scoring for the Sabres.

Looking back

On Sunday, Nick Bonino (photo) scored his 9^th goal of the season in Ducks 3-2 win against Edmonton. Tonight, he hit double figures in goals for the first time, netting his 10^th in Anaheim’s 5-2 thumping of Detroit.

Kevin Shattenkirk scored his fourth goal on a slapper in St. Louis' 4-2 loss to San Jose. 

Charlie Coyle tallied his fourth of the season, a snap shot that brought the WIld even with Vancouver at 2-2.  Minnesota went on to win in a shootout, 3-2 score.

Alex Chiasson assisted on two Dallas goals as the Stars edged Colorado, 3-2 .

Wade Megan’s first-period score gave Cincinnati a 1-0 lead it held until late in the third, but Kalamazoo tied the score and won in overtime, 2-1. It was the former Terrier captain’s team-leading 13^th goal of the season. He has a 13-7-20 line in 16 games.

Sahir Gill scored his fifth goal on Saturday and his sixth on Sunday for ECHL Wheeling, but the Nailers dropped both games to Florida by identical 5-4 scores.

John Curry stopped 26 of 28 shots in Orlando’s 5-2 win against Gwinnett.

Corey Trivino’s fifth goal of the season, late in the third, was the game-winner as Stockton edged Bakersfield, 6-5.  Ben Rosen also had a goal for the Thunder.