U.S. National Under-17 Team Claims 2012 Four Nations Tournament Title

USA Hockey National Team Development Program

U.S. National Under-17 Team Claims 2012 Four Nations Tournament Title

By USA Hockey, 11/11/12, 6:30PM EST

The U.S. National Under-17 Team captured the 2012 Four Nations Tournament title in Monthey, Switzerland.

MONTHEY, Switzerland - Sonny Milano (Massapequa, N.Y.) netted two goals and added an assist, as the U.S. National Under-17 Team clinched the 2012 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament title with a 6-1 win over Switzerland today at Patinoire de Monthey. Team USA finishes the tournament with a 2-1-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L).

"The team played very well today and skated hard the whole sixty minutes," said Danton Cole, head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team. "It was a successful tournament for the guys and we'll look to carry this momentum with us moving forward."

Nathan Billitier (Spencerport, N.Y.) put the U.S. on the board at 10:45 of the opening period. Alex Tuch (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) assisted on the power play strike. Milano doubled the Team USA lead at 17:46. The power play goal was assisted on by Jack Glover (Golden Valley, Minn.) and Brandon Fortunato (North Hills, N.Y.).

Sonny Milano was awarded the player of the game against Switzerland.

Switzerland cut the U.S. lead in half at 3:45 of the middle frame. Team USA went back up by two scores when Milano netted his second goal of the contest at 6:01. Louis Belpedio (Skokie, Ill.) collected an assist on the tally. Ryan Hitchcock (Manhasset, N.Y.) notched a goal at 15:48 and the U.S. enjoyed a 4-1 lead heading into the second intermission. Glover and Milano registered assists on the play.

Tuch netted a goal at 5:50 of the final frame. The tally was scored with the man advantage, Team USA's third power play strike of the game. Dylan Larkin (Waterford, Mich.) added a late goal and the U.S. skated away with a 6-1 victory.

Eric Schierhorn (Anchorage, Alaska) made 22 saves for the U.S. in the win, while Ludovic Waeber stopped 29 shots for Switzerland in the loss.

NOTES: Sonny Milano was named Team USA's Player of the Game ... Timo Meier was named Switzerland's Player of the Game ... Team USA outshot Switzerland, 35-16 ... The U.S. finished 3-for-3 on the power play, while Switzerland went 0-for-5 with the man advantage ... For a complete U.S. National Under-17 Team tournament roster, click here ... For additional coverage, visit USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Facebook page.