The U.S. got off to a quick lead as Mikey Berchild (Minnetonka, Minn.) put one past starting Pioneer netminder Frank Murphy :07 seconds into the game. Logan Stuart (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) pushed the opening faceoff into the offensive zone as Berchild picked it up and slid it across the goal line.

The Pioneers, however, answered 1:08 later to even things up at one apiece.

It appeared the game would remain even at 1-1 as the clock ticked down, however, Sammy Nelson (Maple Grove, Minn.) tallied his eighth goal of the year at 19:17 to put Team USA ahead. A stretch pass from Victor Plante (Hermantown, Minn.) made its way to Nelson who worked behind Utica's defense and found twine.

A second period goal from the Pioneers near the midway point of the middle frame evened things up again at two a side.

The tie game wasn't for long as Abe Barnett (Wilmette, Ill.) netted his first goal of the season at 13:42. A battle along the boards left Barnett open near the faceoff dot before he lasered one into the back of the net.

The Pioneers offense was bottled up for the remainder of the game as it held Utica scoreless in the third. Utica gave one final push with its net empty, but Team USA prevailed for the 3-2 win.