U18s top Czech Republic

Press Release

BRECLAV, CZECH REPUBLIC - Cristoval Nieves (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) logged a goal and an assist and Vincent Hinostroza (Bartlett, Ill.) had two assists, as the U.S. Under-18 Select Team topped the Czech Republic, 5-3, in its lone exhibition game leading up to the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in Breclav, Czech Republic, and Piestany, Slovakia.

Team USA will begin tournament play Monday (Aug. 8), when it faces Finland in its first of three preliminary-round games. A full schedule can be found below.

"This was a good first step against a skilled and physical opponent," said Seth Appert, head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Select Team. "We executed on many team elements, and hope to get rid of some of the sloppiness as the tournament begins."

After falling behind early, Team USA's Alex Galchenyuk (Kalamazoo, Mich.) tied the score at 1-1 midway through the first period. Four minutes later, Sam Kurker's (Reading, Mass.) tip-in goal gave the U.S. a 2-1 advantage after one.

Following a scoreless second period, the Czech Republic regained a one-goal lead with back-to-back power-play goals. But Team USA responded once again. Nieves tied the game, 3-3, with a power-play goal of his own at 6:12 of the third. Then, with less than four minutes remaining and his team shorthanded, Joseph Cox (Chelsea, Mich.) potted the eventual game-winning goal.

Ryan Lowney's (Redford, Mich.) empty-net goal secured the win for Team USA.

U.S. goalies Jon Gillies (South Portland, Maine) and Calvin Petersen (Waterloo, Iowa) split time between the pipes, combining for 34 saves.

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