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USHL U.S. National Team

US National U17 Team Downs Swiss, 8-2, in 4 Nations Opener

November 8, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


Prievidza, Slovakia - Luke Kirwan (Dewitt, N.Y.) scored one goal and added four assists, Colin White (Hanover, Mass.) registered two goals and two assists and Dennis Yan (Troy, Mich.) potted a goal and two assists, as the U.S. National Under-17 Team downed Switzerland, 8-2, here this evening at Prievidza Arena.

"Tonight was a good first effort and we're happy to get the win against a tough Switzerland squad," said Don Granato, head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team. "Moving forward, we'll have to focus on playing a more disciplined, well-rounded game."

White notched the first two goals of the game at 1:42 and 6:12 of the opening frame. Kirwan and Casey Fitzgerald (North Reading, Mass.) assisted on the first tally, while Jeremy Bracco (Freeport, N.Y.) and Kirwan chipped in on the second score. Bracco put the U.S. up, 3-0, at 8:05, combining with Kirwan and Caleb Jones (Frisco, Texas). Switzerland struck while on a two-man advantage with eight seconds left in the period, but Team USA held the 3-1 lead heading into the first intermission.

Team USA registered four goals in the second stanza to distance itself from Switzerland. Kirwan scored his first goal and registered his third point of the night at 7:43. White picked up his third point with an assist on the play. Yan tallied his first point with a goal just 27 seconds later, putting the U.S. up, 5-1. Charles McAvoy (Long Beach, N.Y.) earned a helper on Yan's goal. The Swiss answered with another five-on-three goal at 12:38, but Jack Roslovic (Columbus, Ohio) hooked up with Jordan Greenway (Potsdam, N.Y.) and Yan at 16:10 to restake the four-goal lead for the U.S. Brendan Warren (Carleton, Mich.) found the back of the net two minutes later to extend Team USA's lead, 7-2. Michael Floodstrand (Hinsdale, Ill.) and Yan were credited with assists on the seventh goal.

McAvoy scored the only goal of the final frame, putting the U.S. ahead, 8-2, at 2:40, with White and Kirwan again factoring in on the play.

Michael Lackey (Washington, D.C.) stopped 13 shots in the win for Team USA, while Joren Van Pottelberghe turned aside 34 shots for Switzerland in the loss.

The U.S. National Under-17 Team continues tournament play tomorrow (Nov. 9), versus Slovakia. The game will be held at Prievidza Arena at 11 a.m. EST.

NOTES: For tonight's box score, click here ... The U.S. National Under-17 Team is looking to successfully defend its title at the U17 Four Nations Tournament, having claimed first place in four consecutive years (2009-12) ... Follow @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for scoring updates during the Four Nations Tournament. Scores will be designated with the #4NationsU17 hashtag ... For the official U17 Four Nations Tournament page, click here ... For additional coverage, visit USA Hockey's National Team Development Program website and Facebook page ... The U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams train with The Hockey IntelliGym, a revolutionary software program released on October 1, 2010 that trains hockey sense. To learn more, visit USAHockeyIntelliGym.com

2013 U.S. National Under-17 Team Four Nations Tournament Schedule

Nov. 6-10, 2013 - Prievidza, Slovakia

Date Opponent Location Time (Local/EST)

Wed., Nov. 6 Slovakia* Prievidza W, 8-2

Fri., Nov. 8 Switzerland Prievidza W, 8-2

Sat., Nov. 9 Slovakia Prievidza 5:00 p.m./11:00 a.m.

Sun., Nov. 10 Russia Prievidza 2:30 p.m./8:30 a.m.

*Pre-tournament game

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