Team USA held a commanding 17-2 lead in shots on net after the first period, but neither team found the back of the net in a goalless frame. James Hagens (Hauppauge, N.Y.) had a great chance on a breakaway and drew a penalty, while Cole Eiserman (Newburyport, Mass.) had the best opportunity of the period on the ensuing power play, but Mustangs goaltender Tommy Aitken put up a clean sheet in the opening 20. 

The U18s finally broke through on the scoreboard 6:31 into the second as Christian Humphreys (Pittsburgh, Pa.) connected in front. Eiserman centered a feed that glanced off John Whipple's (Minnetonka, Minn.) skate and right to Humphreys, who finished past Aitken for the game's first goal. 

Team USA doubled up one second shy of the halfway mark after a strong defensive effort turned into an easy opportunity for Eiserman. Humphreys forced a Mustangs defensive-zone turnover and kicked the puck over to Kamil Bednarik (Chicago, Ill.) The Boston University commit found his current and future teammate with a back-door feed that Eiserman slammed home for a 2-0 lead. 

The collegians got on the board 31 seconds later as Evan Beers' shot from the right circle rang off the post and in to cut the lead in half.

Right off the ensuing draw, Team USA combined for a quick play that ended in an Austin Baker (White Lake, Mich.) one-timer to restore the two goal advantadge. Kristian Epperson (Mequon, Wis.) worked it up to Brendan McMorrow (Lakeville, Minn.) who slid it over for a Baker blast and 3-1 game.