NAHL U.S. National Team

U.S. Nat'l U18 Tops FIN, 3-2, in 4 Nations Cup Final

Published on November 8, 2008 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


LAKE PLACID, N.Y. - Kyle Palmieri's (Montvale, N.J.) second-period goal stood to be the game-winner as the U.S. National Under-18 Team defeated Finland, 3-2, in the championship game of the 2008 Men's Under-18 Four Nations Cup here tonight. The U.S. finished the tournament unbeaten, with a 3-1-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) record.

"The win was a big step for our team," said Ron Rolston, head coach of Team USA. "We got stronger as the tournament went on and played well collectively. We're very proud of the effort the players put forth this week to win the tournament."

Ryan Bourque (Boxford, Mass.) put Team USA ahead early after he blasted a slapshot over the glove of netminder Joni Ortio at 1:16 of the opening stanza. Finland answered back with a Jaako Turtiainen power-play tally at 6:41.

Team USA regained the lead in the second period after Cam Fowler (Farmington Hills, Mich.) found Drew Shore (Denver, Colo.) who put a backhanded shot into the top of the net at 11:36. Just 41 seconds later, Brendan Rempel (Willington, Conn.) dropped the puck to a streaking Palmieri who wristed a shot trough Ortio from the between the faceoff circles.

In the final stanza, Toni Rajala brought his team within one goal at 12:14, but that was as close as Finland would come as Team USA held off a relentless attack from its opponents.

Brandon Maxwell (Winter Park, Fla.) made 18 saves to earn the victory in net.

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North American Hockey League Stories from November 8, 2008


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