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Photo by Rena Laverty
PLYMOUTH, Mich. - Will Moore (Ithaca, N.Y.) and Jake Stuart (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) scored for the U.S. National Under-18 Team, but Team USA dropped a heartbreaking last-minute loss to the Augustana Vikings, 3-2, Saturday night at USA Hockey Arena.
Augustana picked up the first score of the night off the blade of Brett Meerman. Hayden Hennen found him in the slot, where Meerman ripped top shelf to open scoring at 7:07 of the first.
With 1:49 to play in the opening frame, Team USA knotted the score off a quick attempt from Stuart. After sustained offensive-zone pressure from the U.S., Augustana attempted to clear the zone but fumbled the puck. Stuart was quick to the loose rubber and roofed a quick wrister for his third score of the season.
The Vikings retook the lead late in the middle period off a 2-on-1 rush. Simon Falk was the beneficiary of a Colton Friesen cross-crease pass to make it 2-1 with 4:57 to play in the second.
Team USA nearly tied in the final minute of the period but Richard Gallant's (Concord, Mass.) power-play wrister rang off the cross bar and out to keep Augustana in front after 40 minutes.
The two sides were tied at seven shots apiece in the third, but neither could manage a score until Moore returned the game to even with 2:39 to play in regulation. With U.S. netminder Joey Slavick (Westland, Mich.) pulled for the extra attacker, Conrad Fondrk (White Bear Lake, Minn.) found Jack Murtagh (East Greenbush, N.Y.) along the left wing. He centered for Moore, who went top corner to tie the game at 2-2.
With a little more than a minute to play, Augustana found the game-winning score as Hunter Bischoff was first to a loose puck in the slot and put it past Slavick for the 3-2 final.
Slavick was stout in net throughout and finished his night with 24 saves while Augustana counterpart Christian Manz collected 28 stops on the evening.
The U18s are back at USA Hockey Arena next Thursday, Nov. 23 as they host the Michigan State Spartans. 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.