IceDiggers host Team USA tonight

Tonight, the Alpena IceDiggers will play host for the first time this season to the USA Under-17 Team inside Northern Lights Arena.

This meeting will mark the first time the two clubs have hooked up since USA eliminated the IceDiggers from the 2006-2007 playoffs.

Alpena currently sits tied with USA in the North Division standings with 17 points. Alpena is 8-6-1, while USA is 8-7-1. Alpena holds a game in hand.

"In order for us to be successful, we are going to have to be physical," Alpena coach-GM Kenny Miller said. "They are a talented bunch and we will have to be mentally and physically stronger than them in all areas to win."

The IceDiggers had a 9-3-2 record last season versus both the Under-17 Team and the Under-18 Team. This is the first of five home games versus the Under-17 squad.

NOTES:

Veteran forward Erik Peterson remains red-hot for Alpena, recording a goal and three assists last weekend versus Marquette. The Alpena native sits six points out of the NAHL scoring race through 15 games. Peterson has a total of 20 points on the year. The forward was also nominated for North Division player of the week.

Toledo native Tyler Pilmore leads the IceDiggers in plus-minus on the season with a +5 rating. Isaac Viau and JC Gulch are each plus-4.

Russ Anderson remains sidelined with an injury. The IceDiggers training staff expects Anderson to miss up to four weeks.

Newly-acquired forward Bryan Ross has a point in all three games he has suited up for Alpena.

Alpena native Steve Tulgestka is plus-2 in two games played this season. The 16-year-old is in his first year with the IceDiggers after spending the 2006-07 season at Alpena High School.