Saturday, November 12, 2011

U.S. National Under-17 Team Shuts Out Slovakia, 4-0, in 2011 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament Opener

Press Release

BALASHIKHA, Russia - Hunter Miska (North Branch, Minn.) stopped all 20 shots he faced, as the U.S. National Under-17 Team shutout Slovakia, 4-0, in its opening game of the 2011 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament here today at Arena Balashikha.


"We had a solid effort to start the tournament today", said Don Granato, head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team. "Tomorrow we will face another very talented opponent and expect a very good matchup."


Team USA opened the scoring at 9:13 of the first period when Anthony Louis (Winfield, Ill.) notched a power-play goal. Keaton Thompson (Devils Lake, N.D.) and Will Butcher (Sun Prairie, Wis.) collected assists on the marker. Hudson Fasching (Burnsville, Minn.) increased the U.S. lead late in the frame when he potted an unassisted goal at 17:20.


The U.S. dominated Slovakia in shots on goal in the middle stanza, outshooting its opponent by a 19-9 margin. No pucks would find the back of the net, however, and the score remained at 2-0 in favor of Team USA.


Skating with a two-goal lead late in the final frame, the U.S. notched back-to-back goals to secure the 4-0 victory. Kevin Labanc (Staten Island, N.Y.) scored Team USA's third goal at 16:32 with assists by Evan Allen (Sterling Heights, Mich.) and Luke Voltin (Blaine, Minn.). Just 26 seconds later, J.T. Compher (Northbrook, Ill.) tallied the final goal of the game.


The U.S. National Under-17 Team will continue tournament play against Switzerland on Saturday (Nov. 12) at 6:00 a.m. EST.

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

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