Dubuque took an early 1-0 lead just 1:30 in off a James Reeder wrister from the left circle.

Team USA's best chance of the opening 20 came off an initial shot by Carter Amico (Westbrook, Maine) from the right point and a quick rebound attempt by Gallant, but Saints netminder Kevin Reidler kept the U.S. off the board.

Belle found the equalizer 3:35 into the middle frame on the doorstep off a great forecheck by Gallant to stealing the puck off a Dubuque defender in the corner to feed Belle out front.

The Saints took back their lead with two quick goals in the span of nine seconds. Noah Powell scored a power-play goal off a seam pass at 13:31, them Juraj Pekarcik sent one over the shoulder of Harrison Boettiger (Wheat Ridge, Colo.) to make it a 3-1 game.

Goals from Dubuque's Fisher Scott, Joona Vaisanen and Erik Pahlsson in the third period brought the final count to 6-1. 

The U17s close the weekend series against Dubuque tomorrow night at USA Hockey Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET and tickets are available at USAHockeyNTDP.com/tix or by calling the box office at 734-453-8400.