UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The U.S. National Under-18 Team jumped out to a two-goal lead, but ultimately fell to Penn State University, 5-2, at the Greenberg Pavilion on Jan. 11.

Connor Clifton (Matawan, N.J.) opened scoring at 8:47 of the first period. Hudson Fasching (Burnsville, Minn.) collected the lone assist on the tally. Team USA outshot the Nittany Lions, 18-5, in the frame.

The U.S. doubled its lead, 2-0, just 37 seconds into the middle frame when J.T. Compher (Northbrook, Ill.) found the back of the net. The power-play strike was assisted on by Keaton Thompson (Devils Lake, N.D.) and Will Butcher (Sun Prairie, Wis.). Penn State responded with back-to-back goals to close out the period. The second marker, scored with the man advantage at 10:35, knotted the game at two goals apiece.

Penn State continued its offensive outburst into the third stanza to claim its first lead of the game. Goals scored at 6:59 and 13:12 put the U.S. down, 4-2. In an effort to bridge the gap, Team USA pulled its netminder in favor of the extra attacker. The gamble did not pay off as Penn State scored into the empty net with seven seconds left in the game.

Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.) made 26 saves in the loss for the Under-18 Team, while Matthew Skoff turned aside 45 of 47 shots in the win for Penn State.

The following night (Jan. 12), Team USA shutout the Nittany Lions, 3-0, behind a 25-save performance by Demko.

After a scoreless first frame, Sean Malone (West Seneca, N.Y.) put the U.S. on the board at 18:15. Kevin Labanc (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Evan Allen (Sterling Heights, Mich.) collected assists. Demko made 15 saves in the period to preserve the Team USA lead.

Michael McCarron (Macomb, Mich.) tallied the second Under-18 Team goal at 16:31 of the third period. Shane Eiserman (West Newbury, Mass.) and Tyler Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass.) registered assists on the play. Allen iced the contest with an empty net goal at 19:02 and Demko turned aside all six shots he faced to earn the shutout victory.