U.S. National Under-17 Team Downs Canada Pacific, 6-2, at 2013 World U17 Challenge
December 28, 2012 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
U.S. National Team News Release
DRUMMONDVILLE, Quebec - Jack Eichel (North Chelmsford, Mass.) netted two goals and added an assist, as the U.S. National Under-17 Team downed Canada's Team Pacific, 6-2, in a pre-tournament game at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge here tonight at Centre Marcel Dionne.
"We stayed consistent with what we wanted to do tonight," said Danton Cole, head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team. "The guys did a lot of things right, it was a good start and we need to improve every game moving forward."
Pacific struck first on the power play at 4:34 of the opening frame. Team USA then found itself down two goals after Pacific knocked in the puck at 16:47. Team USA outshot Pacific, 14-5, in the period but could not solve netminder Payton Lee.
Team USA cut the Pacific lead in half at 5:16 of the second stanza off a Jack Glover (Golden Valley, Minn.) shot from inside the blue line. The power-play tally was assisted on by Nathan Billitier (Spencerport, N.Y.) and Ryan MacInnis (St. Louis, Mo.). Sonny Milano (Massapequa, N.Y.) next set-up Chris Wilkie (Omaha, Neb.) in front of the net for Team USA's second power-play goal at 10:11. Eichel collected the second assist on the play. Milano again worked the puck to the top of the goal crease, this time feeding Eichel for the score at 12:31. Eichel's tally, the third U.S. goal scored with the man advantage, gave the U.S. its first lead, 3-2. Ryan Bliss (Bedford, N.H.) also assisted on the marker. Austin Poganski (St. Cloud, Minn.) extended the lead for Team USA at 13:45. Dylan Larkin (Waterford, Mich.) and Alex Tuch (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) registered assists on the play. Eichel broke away to score the fifth U.S. goal of the period, shorthanded, with a backhand shot at 16:19.
Wilkie added another special teams goal at 8:18 of the final frame and the U.S. skated away with a 6-2 victory. Louis Belpedio (Skokie, Ill.) and Bliss collected helpers on the score.
Edwin Minney (WInd Gap, Pa.) and Chris Birdsall (Glen Rock, N.J.) combined to stop 15 shots in the win for Team USA, while Lee and Jordan Papirny turned aside 30 saves in the loss for Pacific.
The U.S. National Under-17 Team will open tournament play against Canada's Team Ontario tomorrow (Dec. 29), in Victoriaville, Quebec at the Colisee Desjardins. Puck drop is slated for 1:30 p.m. EST. A complete schedule can be found below.
• Discuss this story on the United States Hockey League message board...
United States Hockey League Stories from December 28, 2012
- Stampede Earn Big Win on the Road in Fargo - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Fighting Saints Down Muskegon Friday, 6-3 - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Lincoln Downs Tri-City with Late Overtime Goal - Tri-City Storm
- Lumberjacks Start Slow, Fall to Dubuque on the Road 6-3 - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Sioux City Slows Hawks - Waterloo Black Hawks
- U.S. National Under-17 Team Downs Canada Pacific, 6-2, at 2013 World U17 Challenge - U.S. National Team
- Storm Sign Tory Dello to Tender - Tri-City Storm
- Stampede Return Home Sunday at 5:05 pm to Face Des Moines - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Omaha Lancers News & Notes - Week 14 - Omaha Lancers
- U.S. National Jr. Team Falls to Russia, 2-1, in 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship - U.S. National Team
- Ice Wrap up 2012 Sunday with 6:05 pm Contest vs. Chicago - Indiana Ice
- Conor Lemirande Joins the Lumberjacks - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Game Today Bucs vs Cedar Rapids - Des Moines Buccaneers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent U.S. National Team Stories
- Garret Raboin Added to Coaching Staff of 2024 U.S National Junior Team
- USA Hockey Adds Hayes, Turer to NTDP Staff Ahead of 2023-24 Season
- Greg Moore Named Head Coach at USA Hockey National Team Development Program
- NTDP Names Rod Braceful Director of Player Personnel
- Thirteen Players Selected from National Team Development Program in 2023 NHL Draft