DAWSON CREEK, B.C.- The U.S. National Under-17 Team defeated the Czech Republic tonight, 5-2 in its opening game of the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Alex Turcotte (Island Lake, Ill.) opened the scoring on the power play for Team USA at 9:12 of the opening frame with help from Trevor Zegras (Bedford, N.Y.) and Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis.).

Jack Hughes (Orlando, Fla.) netted his first goal of the game at 15:27 of the first period, cleaning up a rebound.

Hughes netted a power play goal, and his second of the game, at 18:01 of the first period, putting the puck beyond the blocker of Czech goaltender Nick Malik. Caufield picked up his second assist of the game while Patrick Moynihan (Millis, Mass.) tallied his first on the goal.

Danny Weight (Lattington, N.Y.) extended the Under-17 Team’s lead 4-0, at 0:32 of the second period after burying a centering pass from Zegras. Cam York (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) also recorded an assist on the goal.

The Czech Republic answered with two quick goals midway through the second period to pull within two.  

Moynihan regained a three-goal lead for the U.S., and made it 5-2, sending the puck into the top of the net from the slot at 6:27 of the third period. Weight recorded an assist on the play.

Team USA’s Spencer Knight (Darien, Conn.) ended the game with 18 saves while Czech goaltender, Nick Malik finished the game with 29 saves.

The U.S. is back in action tomorrow afternoon (Nov.6) against Canada White (0-1-0) at 2:30 p.m. local/ 4:30 p.m. ET at Encana Events Centre.

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