USHL U.S. National Team

U.S. National Under-17 Team Drops Quebec, 4-3, in 2013 World U17 Challenge Third-Place Game

Published on January 4, 2013 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


DRUMMONDVILLE, Quebec - Austin Poganski (St. Cloud, Minn.) tallied three goals, as the U.S. National Under-17 Team dropped Canada's Team Quebec, 4-3, in the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge third-place game here today at Centre Marcel Dionne. Team USA finishes the tournament with a 4-1-0-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L) record. The U.S. also recorded an exhibition victory preceding group play.

"We did a good job of working and battling today," said Danton Cole, head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team. "It was good to see how the guys would respond after yesterday's game. They showed a lot of pride and character in the win."

Quebec struck first at 16:03, jamming the puck past U.S. goaltender Chris Birdsall (Glen Rock, N.J.). A slashing and hooking call were called simultaneously on Quebec at 18:48, giving Team USA a two-man advantage. The Americans converted at 19:43 when Poganski chopped at the loose puck in a scramble in front of the Quebec net. Ryan MacInnis (St. Louis, Mo.) and Louis Belpedio (Skokie, Ill.) collected assists on the play. The two squads entered intermission knotted, 1-1.

Poganski staked a one-goal lead for the U.S. at 15:46 of the middle frame. Dylan Larkin (Waterford, Mich.) assisted on the go-ahead tally. Quebec answered on the power play at 18:37 to send both teams to the locker rooms knotted at two.

Team USA regained the lead at 9:52 of the third period off of Poganski's third goal of the contest. The unassisted tally was Poganski's second on the power play. MacInnis made a move to his backhand to double the Team USA lead, 4-2, at 10:37. Ryan Hitchcock (Manhasset, N.Y.) and Johnathan MacLeod (Dracut, Mass.) assisted on the marker. Quebec pulled its netminder in the final minutes and the gamble resulted in a goal with 35 seconds remaining. Team USA would hold on in the final moments and earned third place with a 4-3 victory over Quebec.

Birdsall turned aside 26 shots in the win for Team USA, while Alex Bureau made 23 saves in the loss for Quebec.

NOTES: Austin Poganski was named Team USA's Player of the Game ... For Team USA's full roster, click here ... The U.S. finished 2-for-6 on the power play, while Quebec went 1-for-6 with the man advantage ... The U.S. has now captured second place five times (1999, 2008, 2011-13) and first place three times (2001-02, 2010) ... For additional coverage, visit USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Facebook page ... The U.S. National Under-17 Team trains with The Hockey IntelliGym, a revolutionary new software program released on October 1, 2010, that trains hockey sense. To learn more, visit USAHockeyIntelliGym.com.

Check out the U.S. National Team Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United States Hockey League Stories from January 4, 2013


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.

OurSports Central