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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Cullen Potter (Minneapolis, Minn.) netted Team USA's lone goal to extend his point streak to three games, but the U.S. National Under-17 Team fell to the Youngstown Phantoms by a 5-1 count tonight at the Covelli Centre.
Youngstown opened the game's scoring as a Finn McLaughlin stretch pass found its way to Ryan Botterill, who roofed it to give the Phantoms a 1-0 lead 8:32 in. Daniel Jencko added a second with 2:51 left in the first period, scoring off the rush.
Potter brought the U.S. within one just 1:21 into the second. Asher Barnett (Wilmette, Ill,) dished the puck to Conrad Fondrk (White Bear Lake, Minn.) at center ice, who found a waiting potter at the bottom of the right circle. Potter ripped a one-timer past Aiden Wright for his second score of the weekend.
The Phantoms restored the two-goal lead as Hunter Ramos tucked one past Joey Slavick (Westland, Mich.) in front with 4:32 left in the period to make it 3-1 heading into the final frame.
Adam Pietila added a fourth tally 2:30 into the period, roofing the puck with a standout solo effort off a turnover in the neutral zone.
Jencko put the game on ice with a penalty shot to bring the final tally to 5-1.
The U17s hit pause on USHL play as they head to the Czechia for the 2024 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament. Team USA begins tournament play on February 7 against Finland at RT Torax Arena with puck drop set for 8:00 a.m. ET.