U.S. Under-18 Select Team Tops Finland,

Press Release

BRECLAV, Czech Republic - The U.S. Under-18 Select Team defeated Finland, 5-2, here today in its final preliminary-round game of the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. With the victory, the U.S. captured the top seed in Group A and advanced to a semifinal match-up against Sweden on Friday (Aug. 13).

Ten different players factored in the scoring for Team USA and goalie Steve Michalek (Glastonbury, Conn.) made 28 saves in the win over Finland.

"Everyone contributed to the win today," said Tim Army, head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Select Team. "As the game went on, we played extremely well, and our penalty kill and power play were both outstanding."

Finland took a 1-0 lead just 1:13 into the game, but Justin Selman (Upper Saddle River, N.J.) tied the game four minutes later. Vincent Trocheck (Birmingham, Mich.) slipped the puck to Selman, who fired a wrist shot over Finland goalie Richard Ullberg's blocker.

Tanner Sorenson (Anchorage, Alaska) gave Team USA a 2-1 advantage at the 8:03 mark of the second period, tapping in a loose puck laying in the crease. Less than two minutes later, the U.S. extended its lead to 3-1 with a four-on-three power-play goal. Connor Murphy (Dublin, Ohio) chipped the puck to John Gaudreau (Carney's Point, N.J.), creating a three-on-two rush. Gaudreau fired a hard wrist shot from the high slot that beat Ullberg low on the stick side.

Team USA capitalized on another power-play opportunity just 1:43 into the third period, when Cason Hohmann (Plymouth, Mich.) skated from below the goal line and tucked the puck in the net.

Finland cut the U.S. lead to 4-2, but Sean Kuraly (Dublin, Ohio) sealed the victory for the U.S. with an empty-net goal.

The U.S. advanced to the semifinals with a 2-0-1-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) preliminary-round record. A full schedule and results are below.

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