Gauthier evened the score with a lethally quick release less than two minutes later. Ryan Chesley (Mahtomedi, Minn.) forced a Muskegon neutral-zone turnover and Gauthier collected the loose puck, weaved between multiple defenders and snapped a wrister by Alexander Kuleshov to tie the game at 1-1. 

Jake Richard scored before the close of the first to give Muskegon a 2-1 lead into the first break of the game.

The Jacks' Joey Larson converted on a 2-on-1 opportunity for the lone goal of the middle frame as Muskegon doubled the advantage to 3-1. 

Gauthier brought Team USA within one less than a minute into the third period when he netted his team-leading 15th score of the season. Jimmy Snuggerud (Chaska, Minn.) won a puck battle along the right-wing boards and kicked a pass to Gauthier. His shot went off Kuleshov's glove and in to cut the deficit to 3-2. 

Team USA called timeout and pulled Muszelik with just over two minutes to play in regulation, but could not secure another goal to force overtime.

Muszelik finished with 26 saves in the morning game.

The U18s are back in action Saturday evening when they host the Youngstown Phantoms at USA Hockey Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm.