NAHL U.S. National Team

U.S. Nat'l U17 Team Tops Switzerland, 5-0

November 5, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


CHAMPERY, Switzerland. - The United States National Under-17 Team defeated Switzerland, 5-0, here tonight its lone tune-up game prior to the 2008 Under-17 Four Nations Cup. Team USA controlled the puck for much of the game, outshooting Switzerland, 47-18.

"It was a good start for us," said John Hynes, head coach of Team USA. "I thought the guys played well together and successfully executed the game plan."

Matthew Nieto (Paradise Valley, Ariz.) gave the U.S. an early lead when he drove to the slot from the half-wall and put the puck past Swiss goaltender Lukas Meili at 6:35 of the opening period. Emerson Etem (Long Beach, Calif.) scored at 11:28 and Team USA took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.

Bryan Rust (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) notched the only goal of the second stanza to give the U.S. a 3-0 lead. With Team USA on a power play, Rust sent a quick shot on net and scored off of his own rebound at 8:50.

With an extra attacker on the ice as a delayed penalty was called against Switzerland, Jacob Fallon (Southlake, Texas) drove to the far side of the Swiss net and scored off the near post to give the U.S. a 4-0 lead at 11:45 of the third. Will Yanakeff (Jerome, Mich.) turned aside all five shots he faced in the period to preserve the shutout and assisted on Team USA's fifth goal at 14:12.

The U.S. National Under-17 Team begins play in the 2008 Under-17 Four Nations Cup Friday (Nov. 7) when it faces Slovakia at 10 a.m. EST, in Monthey, Switzerland.

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