Saturday, November 12, 2011

U.S. National Under-18 Team Clips Sweden, 3-2, in 2011 Under-18 Four Nations Tournament Opener

Press Release

MONTHEY, Switzerland - Nicolas Kerdiles (Irvine, Calif.) netted two goals, including the game winner, as the U.S. National Under-18 Team clipped Sweden, 3-2, in the opening game of the 2011 Under-18 Four Nations Tournament here today at Monthey Arena.


“I'm proud of our team and how they persevered against a very talented team," said Danton Cole, head coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team. "We will take what we learned today and apply it as we move forward in the tournament."


Team USA found itself down one goal at 7:18 of the opening stanza after Sweden netted the first goal of the contest. Cameron Darcy (South Boston, Mass.) answered for the U.S. when he took a Frankie Vatrano (East Longmeadow, Mass.) pass and buried it into the net at 13:58. Sweden reclaimed the lead on the power play at 19:09 to send the U.S. to the locker room trailing by a goal.


Kerdiles scored two consecutive goals in the second period to propel Team USA to a 3-2 lead. The first tally by Kerdiles, a power-play marker, was assisted by Ryan Hartman (West Dundee, Ill.) and Kyle Osterberg (Lakeville, Minn.). Seth Jones (Plano, Texas) and Brady Skjei (Lakeville, Minn.) earned assists on the second tally, which stood as the game-winning goal.


The U.S. held Sweden to seven shots on goal in the third period and Jared Rutledge (Chicago, Ill.) was perfect in the frame to preserve the Team USA victory. Rutledge made 24 total saves in the game.


The U.S. National Under-18 Team will continue tournament play against Finland on Saturday (Nov. 12) at 8:30 a.m. EST.

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

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