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U.S. Nat'l U17 Team Blanks St. Louis, 1-0

February 28, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. - Will Yanakeff (Jerome, Mich.) turned aside all 25 shots he faced and Michael Mersch's (Park Ridge, Ill.) second-period goal proved to be the game-winner as the U.S. National Under-17 Team downed the St. Louis Bandits, 1-0, here tonight.

After a scoreless first period, Team USA struck on the power play at 8:54 of the second stanza after Frankie Simonelli's (Bensenville, Ill.) shot from the right point was tipped past goaltender Keith Kinkaid by Mersch. Team USA out shot the Bandits 19-4 in the middle period.

Despite a furious effort by St. Louis in the final frame, it was unable to solve Yanakeff, who stopped all nine shots he faced to preserve the 1-0 shutout win.

The U.S. National Under-17 Team returns to action on Friday (March 6) when it kicks off a three-game set against the Alpena IceDiggers on the road. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.

Check out the U.S. National Team Statistics

North American Hockey League Stories from February 28, 2009

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U.S. Nat'l U17 Team Blanks St. Louis, 1-0 - U.S. National Team
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