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Photo by Rena Laverty
PLYMOUTH, Mich. - The U.S. National Under-18 Team earned a point against Dubuque, but fell to the Fighting Saints, 3-2 in a shootout, Friday evening at USA Hockey Arena.
After a scoreless opening period, NTDP alum Henry Thrun put Dubuque on the board with his first of the season at 3:37 of the second.
The U18s leading goal scorer, Dylan Duke (Strongsville, Ohio), tied the game up with a rebound put-in less than two minutes later. Defenseman Ty Gallagher (Clarkston, Mich.) took the first shot from the top of the right faceoff circle that glanced off the skate of Sasha Pastujov (Bradenton, Fla.). Duke corralled the loose puck in front and fired home for his 24th score of the year.
Dubuque regained the lead at 2-1 near the midway mark of the period, but Jacob Martin (Eagle River, Wis.) tied it once again with 94 seconds to play in the frame. Ethan Straky (Ormond Beach, Fla.) bounced his shot wide and off the boards, but Martin collected, drove the left wing and snapped a quick wrister by Lukas Parik to tie the game at 2-2. Isaac Howard (Hudson, Wis.) picked up the secondary assist on the third tie of the game.
Neither side could find the back of the net in either the final period of regulation or the five minute overtime session.
Matthew Savoie scored the lone goal of the shootout to give Dubuque the extra point in a 3-2 final.
Kaidan Mbereko (Aspen, Colo.) turned in an impressive performance as he made 22 stops through 65 minutes of play, including a pair of impressive OT saves to keep the game going.
The U18s look to bounce back Sunday afternoon as they host the league-leading Chicago Steel. Puck drop is slated for 4:00 p.m. from USA Hockey Arena. The team will then square off against the Youngstown Phantoms Wednesday evening in Plymouth. Tickets for all future Team USA home games are available by visiting USAHockeyNTDP.com/tix or by calling the box office at 734-453-6400.