Saturday, February 11, 2012

U.S. drops game at Five Nations

Press Release

PANELIA, Finland - Riley Barber (Livonia, Mich.) and Connor Carrick (Orland Park, Ill.) netted one goal each, but the U.S. National Under-18 Team fell to Sweden, 4-2, in 2012 Five Nations Tournament play here this evening at Panelia Arena. With the loss, Team USA drops to 1-0-0-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L).

"We had some great chances and just could not finish," said Danton Cole, head coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team. "We must learn from this game, move on and come out strong in our next two contests of the tournament."

Two power-play tallies by Sweden put the U.S. down 2-0 at the end of the opening frame. Team USA outshot its opponent 12-11, but could not solve Swedish goaltender Oscar Dansk.

Both teams skated to a scoreless middle frame before netting two goals apiece in the third period. Sweden tallied a goal at 2:18 to take a 3-0 lead before Barber put the U.S. on the board at 7:39. Sweden regained the three-goal advantage at 11:06. Carrick brought Team USA back to within two scores when he found the back of the net at 19:23, but the U.S. ran out of time and fell to Sweden, 4-2.

Rutledge made 24 saves in the loss for Team USA, while Dansk turned aside 31 shots in the victory for Sweden.

The U.S. National Under-18 Team continues tournament play against Finland on Saturday (Feb. 11) at 10:30 a.m. EST. The game will be held at Pori Arena. A complete Team USA schedule is below.

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

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