The Division I intensity from Lake Superior State was matched by Team USA with a quick first half of the opening frame. Starting U.S. netminder Brady Knowling (Chicago, Ill.) was sound in net and turned aside a pair of one-timers less than :10 seconds apart. Knowling continued to stay strong in net and recorded 10 saves in the first 20 to keep it 0-0.

Dayne Beuker (Portland, Ore.) nearly opened up the scoring :10 seconds into the second with a shot from the slot but the ring of a post kept things even at zero. The U.S. kept up the intensity at the 3:28 mark as Jamie Glance (Stratham, N.H.) corralled the puck in the crease but hit the pipes once again. Although the U.S. upped the pressure, it was the Lakers that converted first off the rush 4:33 in. The Lakers tallied another 3:41 later to extend its lead to a pair.

Berchild cut the lead in half after he netted his second of the year seconds after going full strength. A Lakers turnover in the neutral zone opened up a scoring opportunity for Berchild who kept it himself and buried one past starting Laker netminder Rorke Applebee at the 11:43 mark.

The Lakers answered with one more in the second to give it the 3-1 advantage heading into the locker room.