NEW ULM — New Ulm’s Carsten Haala’s Minnesota 14U Hockey team finished third in the United States Hockey League (USHL) Fall Classic this past weekend in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Haala, a freshman at New Ulm Cathedral, scored two goals and added an assist.

Haala’s Minnesota team went 3-1, with wins over Mount St. Charles, Compuware and the New Jersey Rockets. They then lost to the Buffalo Junior Sabres in overtime.

“It went good,” Haala said. “We lost in overtime to go to the championship, but it was cool out there — great people and great hockey.”

Haala said that he was really nervous in his first game.

“I did not really know what to expect and I did not know how our team would do,” he said. “We were playing all together for the first time. We did not have any practices out there, but we just had practices in Minnesota but then not all of us could make it so we did not have a full team at those practices.”

Haala said that he had a learning experience in the weekend hockey classic.

“I met a lot of new people — we watched the USHL 16U to 18U League play — and it was just crazy watching how good they are. You want to do what they do. It was just fun.”

Haala said that he learned that he should not be nervous on the ice before the game.

“I just need to go out and play my game — forget about all of the people and the scouts there — and just be myself,” he said.

Haala said that his dream is to play college hockey.

And he has the work ethic to do it.

“I play hockey 11 months of the year,” he said. “I am trying to be the best. It is the sport that I love and I do not get sick of it. I love the game and I love being on the ice.”