Weekend Preview

Want to know what games to keep track of this weekend? Look no further. These games have the USHL's biggest stars going against each other.

Friday 3/12/10: Tri City v. Chicago

Tri City v. Chicago should be a great game because of the defense v. offense story line. Chicago brings in an impressive blue line featuring the ultra-talented Kevin Lind. Also on Chicago's defense is Zack Rall and Richard Coyne. These blue-liners defend goalie Connor Wilson who has taken the starting goaltending job from Nick Pisellini this year. Wilson has performed very well and in his last five games has a 1.60 GAA and a .967 SV%. I think it's safe to say that Connor Wilson is on a hot streak.

On the other side of the puck, Tri City boasts some very talented forwards, led by Jaden Schwartz. Schwartz has 77 points this year and hopes to grow that total tonight. In his last five games, Scwartz has 5 points, 3 of those coming in his last game against the Youngstown Phantoms where he scored a hat trick. But, Jaden Schwartz isn't Tri City's only means of getting goals. Radoslov Illo and Brett Mohler also have more than 35 points. 

This game will be decided by one thing: Can Jaden Schwartz and the Storm get good enough shots to beat Connor Wilson? Only time will tell. 

My Prediction: Tri City 2, Chicago 1

Saturday, 3/13/10: Green Bay vs. Cedar Rapids 

Green Bay comes into Cedar Rapids Saturday night looking to extend their three game winning streak to four. The Gamblers are extremely talented offensively led by forwards Anders Lee and Reed Seckel. Lee has 59 points this year while Seckel has 48. The Gamblers need these two ready to go for Saturday night's game.

Cedar Rapids is also strong offensively led by Zach Lehrke, Bryce Aneloski, and Jeff Costello. The trio has 52, 48, and 47 points respectively. The thing that will decide this game for Cedar Rapids is their goaltending. Cedar Rapids has been doing a two goaltender system since aquiring Cody Campbell from Fargo earlier this year. If the Roughriders keep doing the system they have been, Campbell will start on Friday night, which means that goalie Troy Grosenick will get the start on Saturday.

This game will come down to whether Seckel and Lee can get the puck past Grosenick.

My prediction: Green Bay 3, Cedar Rapids 1.

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