Dec. 20, 2006

Miami sophomore goaltender Jeff Zatkoff made 36 saves as the U.S. National Junior Team defeated the Czech Republic, 6-3, in an exhibition game at Contigahallen Arena in preparation for the 2007 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship.

Michigan sophomore defenseman Jack Johnson scored the game winner for Team USA.

Zatkoff stopped a Czech Republic penalty shot at the 4:16 mark of the second period.

Four other CCHA players are involved in World Junior action including: Justin Abdelkader (MSU) and Kyle Lawson (ND) on the U.S. Andrew Cogliano (UM) will return to help Canada defend its gold medal, while Kai Kantola (BGSU) will play for the Finnish team.

The 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship will feature athletes under the age of 20 on international teams including the United States, Belarus, Canada, Germany, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland. The U.S. National Junior Team is coming off a fourth-place finish at the 2006 World Junior Championship in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The United States will play its second and final exhibition game on Friday (Dec. 22) against Switzerland at Contigallaen Arena. Game time is slated for 1:00 p.m. EST.