U.S. National Under-18 Team Clinches 2012 Four Nations Tournament Title

Press Release

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.) turned aside 22 shots, as the U.S. National Under-18 Team clinched the 2012 Four Nations Tournament title with a 3-1 victory tonight over Sweden. Team USA finishes the tournament with a 3-0-1-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) record.

"I'm proud of how we played as a team throughout the entire tournament," said Don Granato, head coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team. "We need to build off these games and continue to improve as we move forward."

Team USA opened scoring at 8:56 of the first frame on the power play. Positioned at the half boards, Evan Allen (Sterling Heights, Mich.) wristed a shot over an outstretched Ebbe Sionas for the tally. Keaton Thompson (Devils Lake, N.D.) and Tyler Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass.) assisted on the play. Penalties filled the remainder of the period, but neither team could convert and the U.S. enjoyed a 1-0 advantage heading into the first intermission.

The second stanza began with Team USA killing off a five-on-three penalty, in which Tyler Motte (St. Clair, Mich.) blocked two consecutive shots to help keep Sweden off the scoreboard. John Hayden(Greenwich, Conn.) doubled the U.S. lead at 3:51 on the backhand. Connor Clifton (Matawan, N.J.) earned the assist on the goal.

Sweden found the scoresheet at 2:45 of the third period to cut the U.S. lead in half, 2-1. Michael McCarron (Macomb, Mich.) tipped a Will Butcher (Sun Prairie, Wis.) shot past Sionas at 10:52 to regain the two-goal advantage. The power play tally was also assisted on by Trevor Hamilton (Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.). Sweden pulled its netminder in favor of the extra attacker, but Team USA held on for the 3-1 victory.

Demko made 22 saves in the win for the U.S., while Sionas turned aside 41 shots in the loss for Sweden.

Team USA will return to United States Hockey League action on Nov. 17, when the U.S. National Under-18 Team travels to Bensenville, Ill., to face the Chicago Steel. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m., EST.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)