INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Dennis Yan (Troy, Mich.) scored the lone goal as the U.S. National Under-17 Team was overwhelmed by the Indiana Ice, 5-1, here tonight at Pan American Arena.
The Ice notched the only goal of the first frame at 15:43. Team USA outshot the Ice, 7-5, in the first frame but could not solve Ice netminder Jason Pawloski.
Indiana tallied back-to-back goals in the second period and the U.S. found itself down by three scores. Yan answered to put Team USA on the board at 18:38. Skating down the right side of the ice, Yan found a streaking Jordan Greenway (Potsdam, N.Y.) to the left of the net. Greenway fired a shot on goal that Pawloski kicked out before Yan batted in the rebound.
Two Ice goals in the third period, one potted with the man advantage, sealed the victory and the Under-17 Team fell, 5-1. Team USA managed 12 shots on net in the stanza, but would do no better than its one tally.
Luke Opilka (St. Louis, Mo.) made 19 saves in the loss for the U.S., while Pawloski turned aside 24 shots in the win for Indiana.
The U.S. National Under-17 Team will next travel to Youngstown, Ohio for a 7:05 p.m. EST matchup against the Phanthoms tomorrow night. The game will be held at the Covelli Centre.
This was the U.S. National Under-17 Team's first game since claiming the 2014 World U17 Hockey Challenge in Sydney, Nova Scotia ... The Under-17 Team last played within the United States Hockey League on Dec. 14, a 6-4 setback to Waterloo at Young Arena ... Follow the NTDP on Twitter ... Like the NTDP on Facebook ... Download the Sport Ngin Mobile App for Apple iOS and Android devices and follow the U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams. Fans, parents, athletes, and coaches now have unprecedented access to scores, stats, schedules, photos, and more. The app is free and allows users to track scores and news updates from one team. Those wishing to follow more than one team can make a simple in-app purchase of $1.99. Click here to download the app.
1st Star
Indiana Ice
Brian Pinho (2 goals, 1 assist)
2nd Star
Indiana Ice
Jason Pawloski (24 saves)
3rd Star
Indiana Ice
Mitch Hults (1 goal, 1 assist)