Tuesday, August 17, 2010

U17s win exhibition game

Press Release

HUTTWIL, Switzerland - Jordan Masters (Rochester, N.Y.), Ryan Fitzgerald (North Reading, Mass.) and Zach Stepan (Fairbault, Minn.) each collected a goal and an assist, and Riley Barber (Livonia, Mich.) notched three assists, as the U.S. Under-17 Select Team defeated Switzerland, 6-3, here tonight in an exhibition game prior to the 2010 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament.

"Our players wore the USA jersey with great honor and pride tonight in their first international experience," said Sean Tremblay, head coach of the U.S. Under-17 Select Team. "We will certainly be ready when Wednesday comes."

Masters gave Team USA a 1-0 lead eight minutes into the first period. After the U.S. won a faceoff in the attacking zone, Barber slipped the puck to Masters, who fired a wrist shot from the top of the circle for the goal.


After Switzerland tied the game early in the second period, the U.S. scored three straight goals to gain a 4-1 advantage. Fitzgerald netted a goal at 8:35 of the second off of a three-on-two rush and A.J. Michaelson (Lakeville, Minn.) connected on rebound just two minutes later. At the 16:05 mark of the middle frame, Nicholas Schilkey (Smiths Creek, Mich.) collected a pass from Sheldon Dries (Macomb, Mich.) in front of the net and buried the chance to give Team USA a three-goal advantage.

Team USA extended its lead to 6-1 in the third period with goals by Stepan and Teddy Doherty (Hopkinton, Mass.). Switzerland notched two goals in the final 10 minutes of the game, but the U.S. held on for the victory.

U.S. goaltenders Brandon Hope (Canton, Mich.) and Jimmy Howe (Northville, Mich.) combined to make 27 saves in the victory, while Swiss netminders Melvin Nyffeler and Robin Kuonen stopped 31 shots in the loss.

The U.S. Under-17 Select Team will face the Czech Republic in the opening game of the tournament on Wednesday (Aug. 18) at 10:30 a.m. EDT.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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