Vlad Dzurilla: U.S. tops Germany

Press Release

PIESTANY, Slovakia - Cameron Darcy (South Boston, Mass.) scored two goals as the U.S. National Under-17 Team defeated Germany, 5-1, here today at the Piestany Ice Arena in its second game of the 2011 Vlad Dzurilla Tournament. Eleven U.S. players recorded a point in the win, which improved Team USA's tournament record to 2-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L).

"The team skated hard for the entire game," said Danton Cole, head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team. "Hopefully we will continue our strong play and have our best game of the tournament tomorrow."

Andrew Copp (Ann Arbor, Mich.) scored the lone goal of the opening frame to give Team USA the lead less than three minutes into the game. Riley Barber (Livonia, Mich.) and Brendan Silk (Wakefield, Mass.) assisted on the tally.

Germany tied the game 29 seconds into the second stanza before the U.S. answered with three consecutive goals. Ryan Hartman (West Dundee, Ill.) notched a goal at 3:34 to put Team USA back on top, 2-1. Frankie Vatrano (East Longmeadow, Mass.) and Darcy each notched power-play goals to give the U.S. a 4-1 advantage after two periods.

Darcy added a score at 8:10 in the final frame to close out the scoring. U.S. goalie Jared Rutledge (Chicago, Ill.) made 10 saves in the third period and 20 total stops in the victory.

Team USA next faces Slovakia tomorrow (Feb. 13) at 9:30 a.m. EST in its final game of the tournament.

NOTES: The U.S. finished 2-for-7 on the power play, while Germany went 0-for-5 with the man advantage ... Cameron Darcy has three goals in two tournament games ... Henrik Samuelsson recorded two assists in each of the two touranment games.

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