USHL U.S. National Team

U.S. National Under-17 Team Downs Canada Atlantic, 6-1, in World Under-17 Challenge Exhibition

Published on December 28, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


LASALLE, Ont. - A four goal second period lifted the U.S. National Under-17 Team past Canada Atlantic, 6-1, in a pre-tournament game prior to the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge here tonight at the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex.

"Tonight's win was an all-around team effort," said Don Granato, head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team. "We did a better job of getting pucks on net and traffic in front in the second period, helping contribute to this hard-fought victory."

Team USA and Canada Atlantic skated to a scoreless opening period. The U.S. edged Atlantic in shots on goal, but was unable to solve goaltender Jacob Fancy. Hunter Miska (North Branch, Minn.) also blanked the competition in the first frame as the U.S. and Atlantic entered the first intermission tied 0-0.

J.T. Compher (Northbrook, Ill.) scored the first Team USA goal on a wrister at 11:38, shortly after Canada Atlantic switched goaltenders. Anthony Louis (Winfield, Ill.) and Hudson Fasching (Burnsville, Minn.) collected assists on the tally. Tyler Motte (St. Clair, Mich.) tipped a slapshot from Will Butcher (Sun Prairie, Wis.) past Canada Atlantic's netminder to double the U.S. lead at 16:36. The power-play marker was also assisted by Louis.

The U.S. increased its lead when Evan Allen (Sterling Heights, Mich.) fired a shot from the slot into the net at 18:43 of the second stanza. Dawson Cook (Cadillac, Mich.) and Clint Lewis (Burnsville, Minn.) earned assists on the goal. Just under a minute later, Tyler Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass.) tipped in a shot from Butcher to give the U.S. a 4-0 lead. Butcher registered his second helper of the night, while Kevin Labanc (Staten Island, N.Y.) collected his first.

Louis scored at 3:53 of the final frame to open a five-goal advantage for Team USA. Canada Atlantic clanked the puck off the crossbar and past U.S. netminder Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.) at 13:03, but the U.S. lead would prove insurmountable. Demko made several saves and Luke Voltin (Baline, Minn.) added a late goal for the U.S., as it claimed the victory over Canada Atlantic, 6-1.

The U.S. National Under-17 Team will begin tournament play against the Czech Republic on Thursday (Dec. 29) at 7:00 a.m. EST. The game will be held at the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex in LaSalle, Ont. A full schedule is below.

NOTES: Anthony Louis was named Team USA's Player of the Game ... For Team USA's full roster, click here ... The 2012 World Under-17 Challenge includes two pools of five teams. Pool A consists of teams from Canada Atlantic, Germany, Canada Quebec, Canada Ontario and Sweden. Pool B consists of teams from the Czech Republic, Canada Pacific, Russia, Canada West and the United States ... Exclusive videos will be posted on the USA Hockey YouTube channel under the World Under-17 Challenge playlist ... Follow @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for live scoring updates during the tournament. Scores will be designated with #U17CHAL ... All games during the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will be available via live webcast at FASTHockey.com ... For additional coverage, visit USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Facebook page ... 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 December 28, 2011


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