MUSKEGON, Mich. - Netminder Jake Oettinger (Lakeville, Minn.) turned in a 31-save performance but the U.S. National Under-17 Team was shutout by the Muskegon Lumberjacks, 4-0, here tonight at L.C. Walker Arena. The same two squads will meet again tomorrow in a rematch.

The Lumberjacks struck for a pair of tallies in the opening period. The first goal came 57 seconds into the contest off the stick of Griffen Molino. Matheson Iacopelli buried the puck into the net at 18:29 to give Muskegon a 2-0 lead after one frame.

Lumberjacks forward Tom Marchin connected for a goal to make it 3-0 midway through the middle frame, and Matej Paulovic knocked home a power-play marker 2:54 into the final period to close out the scoring.

The U.S. held an 11-6 edge in shots on goal in the third frame but couldn't convert.

The U.S. National Under-17 Team and Muskegon face off once again tomorrow (Dec. 6) at L.C. Walker Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET and can be viewed on FASTHockey.com.

Team USA was outshot by Muskegon, 35-24 ... The U.S. went 0-3 on the power play while the Lumberjacks went 1-3 ... Tonight's game marked the third of five scheduled match ups between the U17s and Muskegon this season ... National Team Development Program squads and Muskegon will meet a total of 10 times this winter, as the U18 Team also plays the Lumberjacks five times ... No other United States Hockey League team will play the NTDP as often as Muskegon this season.

1. Jake Oettinger, Team USA

2. Matej Paulovic, Muskegon

3. Tom Marchin, Muskegon