U18s fall to Finland

Press Release

PIESTANY, SLOVAKIA - Jordan Masters (Rochester, N.Y.) had a goal and an assist and Cristoval Nieves (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) added two assists, but the U.S. Under-18 Select Team fell to Finland, 6-3, in its first preliminary-round game of the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.

"We were physical and attacked the net tonight," said Seth Appert, head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Select Team. "But we turned the puck over too much trying to make big plays, and Finland really took advantage of that."

Finland opened the scoring with a goal just 15 seconds into the first period. But Team USA responded quickly, as Masters notched a power-play goal just 35 seconds later.

The U.S. took a 2-1 lead at 8:58 of the first period when Nicholas Schilkey (Smiths Creek, Mich.) scored off of assists by Nieves and Masters. Team USA then extended its advantage to 3-1 when Luke Johnson (Grand Forks, N.D.) found the back of the net two minutes later.

Finland tied the game, 3-3, with two late first period goals, and then notched the lone goal of the second period to take a one-goal lead into the final frame. Team USA could not mount a comeback, as Finland scored again midway through the third and added an empty-net goal late.

Team USA will next face Russia tomorrow (Aug. 9), with puck drop slated for 8 a.m. EDT.

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