MUSKEGON, Mich. - Ryan Wagner (Park Ridge, Ill.) netted the lone goal as the U.S. National Under-17 Team was trumped by the Muskegon Lumberjacks, 6-1, here tonight at L.C. Walker Arena.
Team USA put the Lumberjacks on notice just 59 seconds into the game. Luke Kunin (Chesterfield, Mo.) fired a wrist shot on net before Matthew Tkachuk (St. Louis, Mo.) flicked the rebound off Jordan Uhelski's left pad. Wagner knocked the second rebound into the cage for the score.
The Under-17 Team surrendered three second-period goals to fall into a deficit the U.S. could not overcome. Team USA managed 12 shots on the Muskegon net, but Uhelski stood tall, keeping the U17s off the board in the middle frame.
Muskegon continued its offensive onslaught, scoring three more markers in the third period, including two power-play tallies. Jeremy Bracco (Freeport, N.Y.) was awarded a penalty shot at 19:04, but failed to convert as the U17s fell on the road to their Eastern Conference rival.
Lackey made 24 saves on 29 shots in the loss for Team USA, while Luke Opilka (St. Louis, Mo.) entered the game in relief and stopped five of six. Uhelski made 28 saves for the Lumberjacks to collect the win.
The U.S. National Under-17 Team will wrap its six-game road trip next weekend with tilts in Chicago (March 28) and Green Bay (March 29). Games are available via live streaming broadcast at FASTHockey.
The U.S. National Under-17 Team previously lost both contests with Muskegon this season, once at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube (Sept. 27) and once at L.C. Walker Arena (Jan. 26) ... Matthew Tkachuk has four points (1-3) in his past four United States Hockey League games ... Luke Kunin has three points (2-1) in his past three USHL games ... Ryan Wagner netted his first USHL goal since Sept. 20, 2013, the first game of the regular season. Team USA defeated Youngstown, 9-3, that night in Ann Arbor, Mich. ... Follow the NTDP on Twitter and like us 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
Muskegon Lumberjacks
Jack Rowe (2 goals)
2nd Star
Muskegon Lumberjacks
Matej Paulovic (1 goal, 2 assists)
3rd Star
Muskegon Lumberjacks
Christopher Dodero (2 assists)