Pastujov gave the NTDP a 1-0 lead after he finished a 2-on-1 play. Duke made a tremendous play to keep the puck in the offensive zone, where it squirted loose to Gasseau. The California native drew both the defenseman and goaltender before shifting over to Pastujov for his sixth score in as many games.

13 seconds later, Caden Brown (St. Louis, Mo.) scored a highlight-reel goal when he batted the puck out of mid-air on his backhand for this third tally of the season. Defenseman Ty Gallagher (Clarkston, Mich.) took the initial shot that popped up high and Justin Janicke (Maple Grove, Minn.) recorded the secondary helper on the score.

Duke, who netted 29 goals a season ago, picked up his first of the season with a deflection in front of the net on the power play. Roman Schmidt (Midland, Mich.) and Pastujov were credited with assists on the tally that made it 3-0. 

The Falcons' Cole Pickup got Concordia on the board before the close of the opening period.

Sean Behrens (Barrington, Ill.) wasted no time in the middle frame as his first goal of the season made it a 4-1 contest less than two minutes into the second period. The 5-foot-9 defenseman's goal was set up by Luke Hughes (Canton, Mich.) and Jack Hughes (Westwood, Mass.) on the power play.

Duke netted his second of the night on a max-effort 3-on-2 break. Pastujov flipped the puck into the offensive zone where Gasseau corralled below the red-line and centered a feed, where Duke connected in front for a 5-1 Team USA lead.