ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Sonny Milano (Massapequa, N.Y.) scored one goal, but the U.S. National Under-17 Team was clipped by the Dubuque Fighting Saints, 3-1, on Jan. 26, at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. The game was the first in a two-game series between the squads that concludes tomorrow (Jan. 27).

Dubuque took a 1-0 lead when it scored on a penalty shot at 15:49 of the first period. Thirty-seven seconds later, the Fighting Saints scored a shorthanded marker to double its lead. Blake Weyrick (Ojai, Calif.) turned aside 13 of 15 shots in the frame, to keep the game close for Team USA after 20 minutes of action.

The U.S. found itself down, 3-0, after Dubuque netted its third goal of the game at 18:19 of the second stanza. Milano answered for the U17s at 16:35 on the power play. Louis Belpedio (Skokie, Ill.) had the initial shot on net, from the top of the right faceoff circle and Anders Bjork (Mequon, Wis.) had the subsequent rebound try. Weyrick was perfect in the period, kicking out all 12 Dubuque attempts.

Team USA put seven shots on Fighting Saints netminder Connor Girard in the third frame, but none would find the back of the net. The Under-17 Team would fall to the league's top team, 3-1, with a rematch set for tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. EST.

1st Star
Dubuque Fighting Saints
Mike Szmatula, forward (1 goal)

2nd Star
Dubuque Fighting Saints
Connor Girard, goalie (23 saves)

3rd Star
Under-17 Team
Blake Weyrick, goalie (29 saves)