U.S. Under-17 Select Team Defeats the Czech Republic, 5-1,

Press Release

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - After scoring three first-period goals, the U.S. Under-17 Select Team held on for a 5-1 victory over the Czech Republic in its opening game of the 2011 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament.

Michael Downing (Canton, Mich.), Adam Erne (North Branford, Conn.), and Gabe Guertler (Plantation, Fla.) each had a goal and an assist for Team USA in the victory.

"We did a lot of good things on the ice to take the early lead," said Bob Corkum, head coach of the U.S. Under-17 Select Team. "The kids came out fired up and our goaltender played great."

The U.S. jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead when Erne scored just over one minute into the opening period off of an assist by Guertler. Less than two minutes later, Downing made the score 2-0 with a power-play tally. Finally, Guertler scored a goal of his own to give Team USA a three-goal edge after one.

Connor Clifton (Matawan, N.J.) extended Team USA's lead to 4-0 with the game's lone second-period marker. Then, after the Czech Republic notched a power-play tally early in the third period, Ryan Siroky (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) connected with the U.S. on the man advantage midway through the frame to close out the scoring.

U.S. goalie Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.) turned aside 34 shots in the win, while Czech Republic goaltender Pavel Jekel stopped 27 shots in a losing effort.

The U.S. will next face Germany tomorrow (Aug. 10), with puck drop slated for 7 p.m. EDT.

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