The U.S. came out strong against Canada Red, fueled by a two-goal first period from Carter Meyer. The scoring opened after a Canada turnover in its own zone. Brayden Willis (Gilbert, Arizona) collected the puck and patiently fed Nolan Fitzhenry (Andover, Minn.), who slipped a pass across the middle to Meyer. Meyer skated in alone and buried a shot past the goaltender to give Team USA a 1-0 lead.

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Just under four minutes later, Meyer struck again on the power play. After Team USA set up at the point, Willis fired a shot on goal that bounced off goaltender Leif Oaten’s pads and right onto Meyer’s stick for the tap-in finish and a 2-0 advantage.

Despite multiple Canada Red power-play opportunities, Eli Winters (Muskegon, Mich.) turned aside all of eleven first period shots to keep the two-goal lead into the middle frame.

Team USA’s penalties finally caught up to them early in the second period, as Camryn Warren put Canada Red on the board just 70 seconds in.

The U.S. responded quickly when Ben Geiger (Northfield, Minn.) blasted one from the top of the circle to restore the two-goal lead. Easton Johnson (Luverne, Minn.) collected the puck at the point and fed Geiger, who skated into space and ripped a shot past the glove of Oaten.

Eli Winters again, stood tall throughout the frame, highlighted by a clutch poke check on a penalty shot to preserve the 3-1 lead heading into the third.

Team USA capitalized on the power play to start the final period when Carter Meyer walked the puck around the top of the zone and sent a pass down to Brayden Willis. Willis stepped out of the corner and fired a sharp-angle shot short side to extend the lead to 4-1.

Canada Red stormed back with three straight goals to tie the contest late in the third.

Nolan Fitzhenry ended the run, scoring from in front to make it 5-4. After sustained offensive pressure, Meyer carried the puck down low and found Fitzhenry in front for the go-ahead tally.

Canada Red forced overtime with 54 seconds remaining, as Camryn Warren scored on the power play to even the game at 5-5.

Following a scoreless overtime, the U.S. went to a shootout for the second straight day. Eli Winters stopped all but one Canadian attempt before Freddie Schneider (Edina, Minn.) sealed the win in the seventh round, sending Team USA to the semifinals.

Winters made 47 stops to help earn the U.S. the victory.

The U17s move onto the semifinals on Friday, Oct. 7.