U.S. Under-17 Select Team Edges Germany, 4-2, at 2011 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament

Press Release

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The U.S. Under-17 Select Team jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Germany and held on for a 4-2 victory in its second game of the 2011 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament.

Gabe Guertler (Plantation, Fla.) logged a goal and an assist in the contest, as Team USA improved to a perfect 2-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) at the tournament.

"The goaltending was outstanding for both teams in tonight's game," said Bob Corkum, head coach of the U.S. Under-17 Select Team. "It was a hard-fought battle that came right down to the wire."

Team USA got on the scoreboard first with a power-play goal by Adam Erne (North Branford, Conn.) at 14:49 of the opening period. Three minutes later, Ryan Siroky (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) posted another power-play goal to increase the U.S. advantage to 2-0. But Germany cut Team USA's lead in half with its own power-play goal with less than 90 seconds remaining in the frame.

The U.S. regained its two-goal advantage 14 minutes into the second period on a goal by Vinni Lettieri (Excelsior, Minn.). Germany made a comeback bid when it scored a power-play goal early in the third, but Guertler's empty-net tally in the game's final minute secured the win for Team USA.

U.S. goalie Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.) made 25 saves in the win, including nine in the third period. Meanwhile, Germany's Hannibal Weitzmann turned aside 43 shots in a losing effort.

The U.S. will next face Slovakia on Friday (Aug. 12), with puck drop slated for 7 p.m. EDT.

NOTES: The U.S. went 2-for-8 on the power play, while Germany was also 2-for-8 with the man advantage ... Gabe Guertler leads Team USA with four points (2-2) in two games, while Adam Erne ranks second on the squad with three points (2-1)

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