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U.S. National Under-18 Team Wins Final World Championship Tune-up Game

April 9, 2006 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release

HALMSTAD, Sweden -- The U.S. National Under-18 Team topped Finland 8-4 this afternoon in the final exhibition prior to the 2006 International Ice Hockey Federation World Under-18 Championship that begins this week.

Team USA jumped out to a quick lead when Patrick Kane (Buffalo, N.Y.) scored on the powerplay on an ice-long feed from defenseman Erik Johnson (Bloomington, Minn.). USA defenseman Mike Ratchuk (Buffalo, N.Y.) gave his team the 2-0 advantage when he notched the second power-play goal of the night 12:38 into the opening period. Five minutes and 31 seconds later, Rhett Rakhshani (Huntington Beach, Calif.) converted a perfect drop pass from fellow USA forward Blake Geoffrion (Brentwood, Tenn.) to push the U.S. lead to 3-0. Ryan Hayes (Syracuse, N.Y.) increased the USA lead to four when he found himself alone in front of the Finish net and sniped the top right corner with 32 seconds remaining in the period to give USA the 4-0 lead at the end of the first frame.

The U.S. National Under-18 Team took a five goal advantage when Michael Carman (Apple Valley, Minn.) sniped his first of two goals on the day with 1:21 left in the second period. Juuso Puustinen broke USA netminder Brett Bennett's (Williamsville, N.Y.) shutout attempt with 56 seconds remaining in the period. Team USA took five penalties in the second period, but Bennett was able to hold Finland to one goal on 21 shots in the frame.

In the third period, USA extended the lead to 8-1 with three goals in the first 2:31 of the period from Carman, James O'Brien (Maplewood, Minn.) and Colin Wilson (Greenwich, Conn.). Finland did not sit back though and replied with three goals, but it was not enough to make up the large goal differential.

Team USA will face Russia on Wednesday (Apr. 13) at 7:45 (1:45 EST) in the opening game of the tournament

NOTES: The official Team USA tournament roster will be announced on Monday (Apr. 10) ... All USA games will be broadcast live via the Internet at usahockey.com. ... The U.S. National Under-18 Team outscored its opponents 13-6 in the two exhibition games.

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