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U.S. National Team

U.S. National Under-18 Team Topples Finland, 3-1, at 2012 Four Nations Tournament

November 6, 2012 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Anthony Louis (Winfield, Ill.) and Sean Malone (West Seneca, N.Y.) scored one goal and added one assist each, as the U.S. National Under-18 Team toppled Finland, 3-1, in Team USA's first game at the 2012 Under-18 Four Nations Tournament tonight at the Ann Arbor (Mich.) Ice Cube.

"It was important for us to start this tournament off on the right foot, especially as the host country", said Don Granato, head coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team. "We'll build off tonight's win and start preparation for Switzerland immediately, as we expect a very competitive game tomorrow."

Tyler Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass.) opened scoring for Team USA at 7:43 of the first frame. Kelleher buried the rebound off a shot by Connor Clifton (Matawan, N.J.) to put the U.S. ahead, 1-0. Michael McCarron (Macomb, Mich.) also assisted on the play. Team USA outshot Finland, 22-6 in the period.

Finland knotted the game, 1-1, when a one-timer at 3:40 of the second stanza beat U.S. goaltender Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.). Team USA regained the advantage at 17:02 when Malone sent a shot from the slot past Finnish netminder Kaapo Kahkonen. Will Butcher (Sun Prairie, Wis.) and Louis collected assists on the marker. The U.S. took a 2-1 lead into the final frame.

Louis netted an insurance goal, his second point on the night, at the 8:43 mark of the third period. Hudson Fasching (Burnsville, Minn.) and Malone registered assists. Team USA held Finland to just six shots in the frame and Demko turned aside each attempt to earn the victory. Demko made 19 saves total in the win for the U.S., while Kahkonen stopped 43 shots in the loss for Finland.

Team USA next faces Switzerland tomorrow (Nov. 7) at 7 p.m. EST at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Finland will take on Sweden in the early contest, with a 3:30 p.m. EST scheduled puck drop.

NOTES: Sean Malone was named Team USA's Player of the Game ... Kaapo Kahkonen was named Finland's Player of the Game ... Team USA outshot Finland, 46-20 ... The U.S. finished 0-for-3 on the power play, while Finland went 0-for-5 with the man advantage ... For a complete U.S. National Under-18 Team tournament roster, click here ... The U.S. National Under-18 Team captured first place at the 2011 Under-18 Four Nations Tournament held in Monthey, Switzerland. The U.S. has claimed the tournament title in four consecutive years (2008-11) ... FASTHockey.com will provide a live webcast of each game in the tournament ... Follow @USAHockey and @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for live scoring updates during the tournament and join the conversation by using #U18FourNations ... For additional coverage, visit USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Facebook page ... The Ann Arbor Ice Cube most recently hosted international hockey at the 2011 Under-17 Select Five Nations Tournament, from Aug. 9-13, 2011.

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