Erik Middendorf (Scottsdale, Ariz.) scored a goal and added an assist to lead the U.S. National Under-17 Team to a 4-2 victory against the Sioux Falls Stampede in a matinee showdown at USA Hockey Arena.

Just 1:09 into the game, Middendorf carried the puck into Sioux Falls' zone and sniped a shot past goaltender Jeremy Swayman for an early lead.

With four minutes remaining in the frame, Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass.) cut through a trio of Stampede players on a rush to the net, but his shot attempt was denied as the game went into the second at 1-0.

Joel Farabee (Cicero, N.Y.) doubled the U.S. lead midway through the period when he connected on a long pass from Jake Goldowski (Thornhust, Pa.) then finished his own rebound for his team-leading 17th goal of the season.

A pair of quick goals by the Stampede just 1:38 apart in the following minutes evened the score at 2-2.

With 3:15 on the clock, Mattias Samuelsson (Voorhees, N.J.) blasted a shot from the blue line into the Sioux Falls net to regain a one-goal cushion for the Under-17 Team. Middendorf picked up his second point of the day with an assist on the play.

Sioux Falls pulled Swayman from net for the extra skater with less than two minutes to play, and Wahlstrom took advantage of the opportunity by making it 4-2 with 1:11 to play. 

Goaltender Ryan Ullan made 29 saves for the win.

1. USA E. Middendorf
2. USA J. Pivonka
3. USA S. Stastney