Team USA got on the scoreboard first at 5:03. Gildon sent the puck under the crossbar off of a behind-the-back pass at the blue line from Ryder Rolston (Birmingham, Mich.).

At 6:05 of the first frame, Moynihan scored short handed and unassisted to double the U18’s lead, tucking the puck five hole.

With 9:59 remaining in the period, Sam Renlund of Des Moines scored to cut the U18’s lead in half. Jackson Perbix and Mac Welsher tallied assists on the goal.

The U18s led 2-1 and outshot the Buccaneers 13-6 after one period of play.

One minute and 45 seconds into regulation, the U18s regained its two-goal lead. Boldy passed the puck to Beecher, who went on beat Buccaneer defense and send the puck five hole.

Gildon scored his second goal of the night and the U18’s second power play goal of the game at 6:53 of the middle frame to put the U18s ahead, 4-1.

Des Moines forward T.J. Walsh scored unassisted at 9:12. Forty-one seconds later, Boldy responded with a goal, bringing the puck backhand-forehand around a defenseman and snapping it glove side.  

Boldy netted his second of the game with 3:22 remaining in the second period, sending the puck top shelf with a toe drag at the center of the circle and sealing a four-goal lead going into the third period.

Jack Hughes (Orlando, Fla.) opened the third period with the U18’s seventh goal of the game at 1:39, capitalizing on a breakout pass from Gildon.

Des Moines scored its third and forth goals of the game at 4:27 of the final frame and with 18 seconds remaining. The goals were credited to Rylee St. Onge and Isaac Novak.

Ultimately, the Buccaneers could not overcome the deficit and Team USA secured a 7-4 victory to sweep the series.

Spencer Knight (Darien, Conn.) made 15 saves in the win, tying Rick DiPietro (NTDP 1997-99) and Jeff Frazee (NTDP 2003-05) for NTDP career wins with 52.

NOTES: Team USA outshot Des Moines 42-19… Team USA was 2-for-6 on the power play and 7-for-8 on the penalty kill… Henry Thrun earned Hardest Worker of the Game… Dominick Fensore earned Third Star of the Game… Matthew Boldy earned Second Star of the Game… Michael Gildon earned First Star of the Game.

The U.S. National Under-18 Team play next on Wednesday, Mar. 27 at Covelli center for a matchup against the Youngstown Phantoms, and return to action at USA Hockey Arena on Saturday, Mar. 30 when it hosts the Phantoms. Tickets for all home games can be purchased online at USAHockeyNTDP.com/Tix, by calling 734-453-6400, or visiting the box office.