MINNEAPOLIS - Auston Matthews (Scottsdale, Ariz.) had three goals and one assist while 10 other U.S. skaters recorded at least one point to help power the U.S. National Under-18 Team past Augsburg College, 6-1, here tonight at Ed Saugestad Rink.

Tage Thompson (Oyster Bay, N.Y.) put Team USA up 1-0 just 3:02 into the contest when he batted a loose puck in through traffic. Augsburg knotted the score just 90 second later sending both squads to the locker room knotted at one goal apiece.

The U.S. broke loose for four second-period tallies. Matthews scored back-to-back markers in the first nine minutes of the frame. Thompson assisted on both goals, while Grant Gabriele​ (Brighton, Mich.) had the secondary assist on the first tally. Christian Fischer (Wayne, Ill.) scored at 10:34 with help from Troy Terry (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and Brendan Warren (Carleton, Mich.) before Colin White (Hanover, Mass.) gave the U.S. a 4-1 lead two minutes later. Jeremy Bracco (Freeport, N.Y.) and Luke Kunin (Chesterfield, Mo.) were credited with assists on the play.

Matthews completed the hat trick with a shorthanded goal 5 minutes into the final period. Jack Roslovic (Columbus, Ohio) and Charlie McAvoy (Long Beach, N.Y.) received the helpers on Matthews' third goal.

Michael Lackey (Washington, D.C.) started in goal and made 21 saves in the victory.

The U.S. National Under-18 Team plays its second of three straight games against NCAA Division III teams next Saturday (Nov. 29) when Neumann University (Pa.) visits the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. The contest begins at 7 p.m. ET and can be viewed live on FASTHockey.com.

Team USA outshot Augsburg College, 38-22 … Team USA had no power-play opportunities tonight while the Auggies went 0-3 on their chances … Jeremy Bracco broke the National Team Development Program career assists record tonight by tallying his 89th-career helper. He passed J.D. Forrest (Auburn, N.Y./1997-2000) and Patrick Kane​ (Buffalo, N.Y./2004-06) on the all-time list … Tonight marked the second of five games the U.S. National Under-18 Team will play against NCAA Division III opponents. The U18s will play two DIII squads next weekend in Ann Arbor, Michigan with Neumann University visiting the Ann Arbor Ice Cube Saturday (Nov. 29) before the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point takes the ice against the elder NTDP team Sunday (Nov. 30). The U.S. closes its NCAA Division III schedule with an outdoor game against Adrian College on Dec. 31, at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, Ohio. Team USA fell to Oswego State, 5-3, on Oct. 25, in the team’s first DIII match up of the year. 

1. Auston Matthews, Team USA

2. Tage Thompson, Team USA

3. Christian Fischer, Team USA