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DUBUQUE, Iowa - Netminder Joseph Woll (Dardenne Prairie, Mo.) kicked out 34 total shots but the U.S. National Under-17 Team was clipped by the Dubuque Fighting Saints, 3-2, here tonight at the Mystique Ice Center.
The U.S. struck first at 8:23 of the opening period off the stick of forward Patrick Khodorenko (Walnut Creek, Calif.). The go-ahead tally was assisted on by Graham McPhee (Bethesda, Md.). Dubuque answered with back-to-back markers, scored at 13:09 and 18:46, to seize control of the contest and take the lead.
The Fighting Saints potted the lone goal of the second stanza, beating Woll for the score at 7:17. Team USA was held to just five shots in the period.
Keeghan Howdeshell (Brighton, Mich.) gave the Under-17 Team a chance at the comeback bid 3:44 into the final frame when he lit the lamp. Zach Walker (Boise, Idaho) and Griffin Luce (Williamsville, N.Y.) collected helpers on the goal that made it 3-2. Team USA pulled Woll in favor of the extra attacker to close the game in search of the equalizer, but the Fighting Saints prevailed, and the U.S. fell by one goal.
The U.S. National Under-17 Team next faces the Bloomington Thunder tomorrow night at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum. Game time is slated for 8 p.m. ET and can be seen live on FASTHockey.com.
Team USA was outshot by Dubuque, 37-16 ... The U.S. went 0-3 on the power play while the Fighting Saints went 1-5 ... Patrick Khodorenko now has a three-game point streak (2-2) within the USHL ... Graham McPhee has recorded one assist in back-to-back games ... Four of the last five U17 games against USHL opponents have been decided by just one goal ... Tonight's game was the final meeting between Team USA and the Fighting Saints this season. Prior to tonight the U17s were 1-0 against Dubuque this year, earning a 4-2 win Nov. 29. The Under-18 Team finished 2-0 versus the Fighting Saints in 2014-15, winning, 7-1, on Jan. 17 before taking home a 4-3 victory Jan. 18.