The Minnesota Magicians U16 team recently took part in some international competition, facing off against the U16 CKA Russia Hockey Club for a pair of games over the past week. The Russian team is currently in the midst of a 3-week stay in Minnesota to train and play the state’s best U16 talent. No strangers to international competition, the team has been together for 12 years and spent a month in Finland before their current visit to the State of Hockey.
In what was actually the Magician U16’s first ever game on August 25th, the team ran into a hot goaltender and fell by a score of 4-0 to the talented Russian club. Two nights later, however, on August 27th, the Magicians bounced back and defeated the Russian team by a final score of 4-2.
In the rematch, the Magicians were propelled by goals from Connor Bateman (Eastview HS), Tyler Scott (Breck HS), Tyler Smith (Burnville HS), and Josh Hallum (St. Thomas Academy). Goaltender Kyle Nelson (Hill Murray HS) also helped the effort with a strong night between the pipes.
The U16 Magicians will continue against international competition on September 5th as they face off against NTG Norway.