BLAINE, Mich. - JP Hurlbert (Allen, Texas) scored his first career goal, but the U.S. National Under-17 Team dropped a 4-1 contest to the Minnesota Wilderness tonight inside the Super Rink to close the 2024 NAHL Showcase.

The U.S. had a stellar chance at the 10:21 mark of the third as Brody George (Johnstown, Pa.) skated up the ice with Lukas Zajic (Plainfield, Ill.) and fed Zajic for a quick snipe, but Minnesota goaltender Niklas Erickson sprawled out for the save to keep the U.S. off the board.

Caleb Kim then made it a 3-0 game with 8:38 to play with some nifty stickwork from the slot.

Hurlbert finally broke through with 4:59 to play, grabbing the rebound of an initial chance by Logan Stuart (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) and beating Erickson with a one-timer snipe.

Team USA pulled goaltender Joey Slavick (Westland, Mich.) for the extra attacker, but were unable to capitalize and a Wilderness empty-netter off the stick of River Freeman brought the final tally to 4-1.

The loss marked the close of the NAHL section of the U17s' schedule, as Team USA will compete in a weekend series against the Minnesota Elite League All-Star team next weekend at New Hope Ice Arena. Puck drops at 1:00 p.m. ET on Saturday (Oct. 5).