Team USA got off to a quick start thanks to a fortunate bounce on the power play. Willis sent a pass down low to Carter Meyer (Winchester, Mass.), whose attempted cross-ice feed deflected off a Youngstown defender and into the net for an early 1-0 lead.

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The Phantoms answered a minute later with a shorthanded goal from Ryan Rucinski to even the score at 1-1 heading into the first intermission.

Youngstown struck again three minutes into the second period when Malachi McKinnon buried a shot from the slot to make it 2-1.

Brayden Willis quickly responded to tie the game. Off the ensuing faceoff, Nolan Fitzhenry (Andover, Minn.) carried the puck into the zone, and after a scramble in front, the rebound found Willis’ stick for an easy tap-in to make it 2-2.

Midway through the frame, Evan Jardine regained the lead for Youngstown, and Rucinski added his second of the night late in the period to give the Phantoms a 4-2 advantage after two.

The U17s cut the deficit early in the third on a wild play that saw the puck deflect high into the air toward the crease. When the Youngstown goalie failed to secure it, the loose puck fell to Sawyer Schmidt (Buffalo, N.Y.), who buried it for his first goal with the NTDP.

However, the Phantoms pulled away as Jack Hextall scored twice in quick succession, and Youngstown added one more late to secure the 7-3 win.

Goaltender Nate Chizik (Warrington, Pa.) started for Team USA and made 28 saves.

The U17s are back on the road next Friday, Oct. 24 as they travel to the Des Moines Buccaneers. Puck drop is set for 8:05 p.m. ET and will be streamed on FloHockeyTV.