ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Sonny Milano (Massapequa, N.Y.) registered a three-point game (2-1), including the game-winning goal in overtime, as the U.S. National Under-18 Team toppled the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 5-4, in a back-and-forth match here tonight at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. The U18s improved to 16-4-1 (W-L-OTL) against United States Hockey League competition this season.

Cedar Rapids struck first at 2:19 of the opening period with a wraparound goal. Alex Tuch (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) responded for Team USA at the 3:54 mark after taking a pass from Anders Bjork (Mequon, Wis.). Tuch stepped in from the right face-off dot and fired a shot that bounced up and over the shoulder of RoughRiders goaltender Danny Tirone. Auston Matthews (Scottsdale, Ariz.) gave Team USA its first lead just over a minute later, intercepting a Cedar Rapids break-out pass attempt and launching an unchallenged shot over Tirone’s glove.

Cedar Rapids knotted the score, 2-2, at 5:04 of the second stanza with a power-play marker. The RoughRiders grabbed back its one-goal advantage, beating U.S. goaltender Blake Weyrick (Ojai, Calif.) through traffic at the 13:26 mark. Team USA poured 14 shots on Tirone in the frame, but couldn't find the equalizer.

Milano and Tuch connected with Jack Eichel (North Chelmsford, Mass.) at 1:51 of the third period to pull back even, 3-3. Milano centered the puck to Tuch, who took a shot that landed just behind Tirone. Eichel skated hard to the net and tapped the puck over the goal line for the score. Milano restaked the lead for the Under-18 Team 2:54 later, with a short-handed tally. After stealing the puck from a Cedar Rapids blueliner in the defensive zone, Milano skated the length of the ice before launching a long-range shot over Tirone's glove. The RoughRiders came right back at 10:17 with an unassisted goal, forcing overtime.

Milano clinched the victory for Team USA just 1:46 into overtime, burying a rebound off an Eichel shot. Eichel collected the puck off a save by Weyrick and carried it up the right wing, before sending a shot off Tirone's pads. The puck bounced out directly onto Milano's stick for the overtime winner.

Weyrick kicked out 16 shots for Team USA in the victory, while Tirone stopped 40 shots for Cedar Rapids in loss.

The U.S. National Under-18 Team will face Cedar Rapids in a rematch tomorrow night (March 8). Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.

Team USA outshot Cedar Rapids, 45-20 ... The U.S. National Under-18 Team now has 11 wins in its last 12 outings dating back to Jan. 24. Team USA has faced USHL, college and international competition over that stretch ... Jack Eichel has five straight multiple-point games within the USHL. The forward has five goals and eight assists in that span. He has also registered a combined +9 rating in those contests ...  Alex Tuch is on a four-game scoring streak within the USHL ... With his 60th career tally tonight, Jack Eichel moves into 10th place in career goals at the National Team Development Program. Eichel is currently tied with Rocco Grimaldi (Rossmoor, Calif./2009-11) on that list ... Sonny Milano now has sole possession of fourth place on the all-time NTDP single-season assists leaderboard, moving ahead of Phil Kessel (Madison, Wis./2003-05) with his 47th helper. Milano is now sixth in career assists at the NTDP with 74, while the next closest players, Phil Kessel and Rocco Grimaldi, both have 76 ... Follow the NTDP on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

1st Star
U.S. National Under-18 Team
Sonny Milano (2 goals, 1 assist)

2nd Star
U.S. National Under-18 Team
Jack Eichel (1 goal, 2 assists)

3rd Star
U.S. National Under-18 Team
Alex Tuch (1 goal, 1 assist)