Wednesday, November 10, 2010

U.S. National Under-17 Team Defeats Slovakia

Press Release

WOODRIDGE, Ill. - Ryan Hartman (West Dundee, Ill./1-1), Jacob Trouba (Rochester, Mich.1-1) and Seth Jones (Plano, Texa/0-2) all recorded two points, as the U.S. National Under-17 Team defeated Slovakia, 4-1, in its opening game of the 2010 Under-17 Four Nations Cup here tonight at Seven Bridges Ice Arena. The U.S. outshot Slovakia 58-14 in the win.

"I thought the team played hard tonight and had quality puck control," said Danton Cole, head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team. "For the first game of the tournament, we got off to a good start and we will need to continue to get better each game."


Team USA opened the scoring 6:03 into the first period, when Hartman converted on a five-on-three power play opportunity. Jones sent a pass to Hartman, who skated to the front of the net and fired a wrist shot that beat Slovakia goaltender Richard Sabol on the glove side.

Nicolas Kerdiles (Irvine, Calif.) scored less than four minutes later to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead. When Hartman's shot was blocked away by Sabol, Kerdiles picked up the rebound and sent a shot to the back of the net for the eventual game-winning goal.

Slovakia scored early in the second period, but Team USA notched two unanswered goals to complete the 4-1 victory.

With six minutes remaining in the middle frame, Trouba fired a slapshot that was redirected in front of the net for a power play goal that helped the U.S. regain its two-goal advantage. Kyle Osterberg (Lakeville, Minn.) then increased Team USA's lead to 4-1 with less than four minutes remaining in the period, when he scored on a tip-in from the front of the net.

Jared Rutledge (Skokie, Ill.) made 13 saves for the U.S. in the win, while Richard Sabol stopped 54 shots for Slovakia in the loss.

The U.S. National Under-17 Team will next face Switzerland tomorrow (Nov. 10) at 8 p.m. ET.


NOTES: Team USA outshot Slovakia 58-14 ... The U.S. went 2-for-11 on the power play, while Slovakia was 0-for-7 with the man-advantage

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

No comments: