1.) Kevin Valenti (Utica)

2.) Erik Middendorf (USA)

3.)  Roman Ammirato(Utica)

Despite leading, 4-2 after two periods of play, the U.S. National Under-18 Team fell to Utica College today, 5-4.

Erik Middendorf (Scottsdale, Ariz.) scored at the 0:18 mark of the first period from Adam Samuelsson (San Diego, Calif.) to open the scoring for the U18s. The Pioneers would answer back shortly after with a power-play goal at the 3:01 mark to knot the game, 1-1.

Patrick Giles (Chevy Chase, Md.) gave the U18s a 2-1 lead ending the first period as he potted one past the Utica goaltender off a feed from Tyler Weiss (Raleigh, N.C.) at the 16:13 mark.

Jonathan Gruden (Rochester, Mich.) increased the U18s lead to 3-1 at the 3:21 mark of the second period as he split the defensemen after receiving the feed from Jake Wise (Reading, Mass.) and Weiss.

Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass.) netted his 19th goal of the season with a power-play goal from Joel Farabee (Cicero, N.Y.) and Jack Hughes (Orlando, Fla.) at the 8:27 mark of the second period.

The Pioneers netted one with 14 seconds left in the second period to cut Team USA’s lead in half, 4-2.

Utica College scored three in the third period to defeat the U18s.

The U18s outshot Utica College, 42-23

Hughes is on a three-game point streak, with his assist today, since being called up from the U17s squad.

The U18s are back in action on Jan. 12 as they host Sioux City Musketeers at USA Hockey Arena at 7 p.m. ET. Tickets are available at USAhockeyntdp.com/tix.

FINAL PARAGRAPHS GO HERE IF NEEDED