skip navigation

U18s Top Chicago, 6-1, in First Game at USA Hockey Arena

By USA Hockey, 10/09/15, 10:30PM EDT

Share

Jake Oettinger Stops 28 Shots in Net for Team USA


PLYMOUTH, Mich. - The U.S. National Under-18 Team received scoring from six different players and goaltender Jake Oettinger (Lakeville, Minn.) stopped 28-of-29 shots as Team USA defeated Chicago, 6-1, here tonight at USA Hockey Arena. The contest served as the first-ever home game at USA Hockey Arena for the National Team Development Program. 

In the opening period, Team USA struck first when Zach Walker (Boise, Idaho) snapped a shot from the mid-slot. Then at 5:36 of the period, Ryan Lindgren (Minneapolis, Minn.) rifled a shot from the top of the slot to give USA a 2-0 lead. Just 20 seconds later, J.D. Greenway (Potsdam, N.Y.), cycling low in the zone, slipped the puck past Chicago goaltender John Lethemon. Closing period scoring, Chad Krys (Ridgefield, Conn.) passed cross-ice to Adam Fox (Jericho, N.Y.) for the USA’s lone power-play marker of the game.

Thirty seconds into the middle stanza, Kieffer Bellows (Edina, Minn.) ripped a pass from Keller, off the faceoff, to give USA a five-goal lead and bring in Chicago netminder Daniel Vladar. At 1:10 of the period, Patrick Khodorenko (Walnut Creek, Calif.) flipped the puck up over Vladar for USA’s sixth goal. 

Almost midway through the frame, Chicago got on the board with a goal from Jere Astren for the 6-1 final score.

USA goaltender Oettinger made 28 saves in the win and was named the game’s first star. Walker and Bellows were named second and third stars, respectively.

Team USA wraps up game two of home-opening weekend with a NCAA Division I matinee against the University of Notre Dame on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.

NTDP Articles & Features