PLYMOUTH, Mich. – A two-goal second period helped to propel the U.S. National Under-17 Team to a 4-2 victory over the Youngstown Phantoms in the series opener between the two teams Friday night at USA Hockey Arena.
The U17s and the Phantoms return to action Saturday night to round out the series. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. ET.
Tyler Boucher (Haddonfield, N.J.) got things started for the U.S., scoring midway through the first period to make it a 1-0 game. Frank Nazar III (Mount Clemens, Mich.) intercepted a breakout pass from a Youngstown defender and slipped the puck to Boucher who carried the puck in before slotting a wrister far-side past Phantoms goalie Mattias Sholl for the score.
The U.S. outshot Youngstown, 8-9, but the Phantoms responded with a goal of their own with 4:49 to play in the frame.
Highlights
Cruz Lucius (Grant, Minn.) broke the tie in the middle period, putting away a blocked shot from Cole Knuble (East Grand Rapids, Mich.) to regain the lead for the U.S.
Nazar added what would prove to be the game-winner for Team USA, poking home a rebound off a shot from Ryan Chesley (Mahtomedi, Minn.) to give the U.S. a 3-1 advantage. The goal marked Nazar's 22nd goal of the year.
The Phantoms rallied late in the final moments of regulation to cut the lead to 3-2, but Cutter Gauthier (Scottsdale, Ariz.) put the game out of reach with an empty-netter.
Tyler Muszelik (Long Valley, N.J.) made 20 saves to earn the win in goal.
Tickets for Saturday's rematch between the two teams can be purchased by visiting usahockeyntdp.com/tix or by calling 734-453-6400 x396.
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