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Photo by Ronald Hansel
TABOR, Czechia - Jack Murtagh (East Greenbush, N.Y.) netted two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, as the U.S. Under-18 National Team took down Sweden, 3-2, here today at the Under-18 Five Nations Tournament.
The Swedes got on the board at 5:54 as Philip Larsson converted on a second-chance opportunity in the crease after the initial shot from Karl Annborn was turned away by Patrick Quinlan (Kennett Square, Pa.).
The score was the lone goal of the opening frame, which saw Team USA gain an 11-7 shot advantage.
Team USA quickly evened the score in the middle period as Murtagh banged one home on the doorstep. Lincoln Kuehne (West Fargo, N.D.) pitchforked a clearing attempt high into the offensive zone. Murtagh got a stick on it over to Richard Gallant (Concord, Mass.), who returned it to Murtagh for Team USA's first goal of the tournament.
Andrew O'Neill (Fargo, N.D.) put the U.S. in front with some great hand-eye coordination in front of the net. Carter Amico (Westbrook, Maine) went D-to-D with Asher Barnett (Wilmette, Ill.), who put an attempt on net. O'Neill was stationed in front to redirect the puck in for a 2-1 lead.
Sweden's Anton Frondell tied the game before the close of the second period as he blasted a one-timer from the right circle to make it 2-2 after 40 minutes.
With back-and-forth action and power plays on each side in the third period, neither team could light the lamp as the game extended into an overtime session.
Team USA had a power play early in the OT session. After working the puck around up top on the 4-on-3 advantage, Murtagh ended the game with a one-timer through the five hole off of set ups from Conrad Fondrk (White Bear Lake, Minn.) and Cole McKinney (Lake Forest, Ill.).
Quinlan finished the night with 13 saves on 15 shots.
With two goals, including the game-winner, Murtagh was named Team USA's player of the game.
The Under-18 Team continues Five Nations play tomorrow (Nov. 8) in Sobeslav, Czechia, against Finland at 12 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed live on CzechIceHockey.tv.