USHL U.S. National Team

U.S. National Under-18 Team Falls to Finland, 4-0, in 2012 Five Nations Tournament

Published on February 11, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


PORI, Finland - Collin Olson (Apple Valley, Minn.) made 35 saves, as the U.S. National Under-18 Team fell to Finland, 4-0, in 2012 Five Nations Tournament play here this evening at Pori Arena. With the loss, Team USA falls to 1-0-0-2 (W-OTW-OTL-L).

"The game came down to special teams," said Danton Cole, head coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team. "We took too many penalties and Finland was able to capitalize. But we still have one game left in the tourament and we want to finish strong."

Finland netted back-to-back power-play goals just over a minute apart midway through the first frame. Team USA managed six shots in the period, but couldn't find the back of the net and found itself down, 2-0, heading into the first intermission.

The U.S. and Finland skated to a scoreless second stanza. Finland was awarded a penalty shot at 18:36, but Olson stopped the attempt to keep it a two-goal contest. Two third period goals by Finland, one scored with the man advantage, put the game out of reach for Team USA. Finnish goaltender Atte Tolvanen stopped all nine U.S. shots in the period to claim the 4-0 victory.

The U.S. National Under-18 Team concludes tournament play against Russia on Sunday (Feb. 12) at 10:30 a.m. EST. The game will be held at Pori Arena. A complete Team USA schedule is below.

NOTES: Nicolas Kerdiles (Irvine, Calif.) was named Team USA's Player of the Game ... The U.S. finished 0-for-3 on the power play, while Finland went 3-for-8 with the man advantage ... For Team USA's full roster, click here ... The 2012 Five Nations Tournament features teams from the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden and the United States ... The U.S. has claimed the tournament title the last four years (2008-11) ... Follow @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for live scoring updates during the tournament. Scores will be designated with #5NATIONS ... For additional coverage, visit USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Facebook page ... The U.S. National Under-17 Team is also competing internationally this week at the 2012 Vlad Dzurilla Under-18 Tournament in Piestany, Slovakia ... The U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams train with The Hockey IntelliGym, a revolutionary new software program released on October 1, 2010 that trains hockey sense. To learn more, visit USAHockeyIntelliGym.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 11, 2012


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