Thursday, November 10, 2011

U.S. National Under-18 Team Blanks Switzerland, 6-0, in 2011 Under-18 Four Nations Pre-Tournament Game

Press Release

MONTHEY, Switzerland - Riley Barber (Livonia, Mich.) and Stefan Matteau (Chicago, Ill.) each had three points and goaltenders Collin Olson (Apple Valley, Minn.) and Jared Rutledge (Chicago, Ill.) were perfect, as the U.S. National Under-18 Team blanked Switzerland, 6-0, in a pre-tournament game prior to the 2011 Under-18 Four Nations Tournament.

“It was great to get our legs under us before the tournament officially starts," said Danton Cole, head coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team. "We were very good in all areas of the game and our goaltending was sharp."

Team USA found the scoresheet first thanks to Matteau, who netted his first goal of the contest at 10:40 of the first period. Quentin Shore (Denver, Colo.) and Connor Carrick (Orland Park, Ill.) collected assists on the tally. Ryan Hartman (West Dundee, Ill.) doubled the U.S. lead on the power play at 13:36. Nicolas Kerdiles (Irvine, Calif.) and Brady Skjei (Lakeville, Minn.) registered assists on the goal.

Barber and Shore notched back-to-back goals in the second period as Team USA's lead increased to 4-0 against the host country. Matteau earned the lone assist on the first goal of the period, while Barber and Thomas Di Pauli (Woodridge, Ill.) assisted on Shore's goal. Matteau's second marker and third point of the game put the U.S. up by five goals after two frames. Barber recorded his third point of the night with an assist and Miles Koules (Los Angeles, Calif.) was also credited with a helper on the goal.

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

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