YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Patrick Khodorenko (Walnut Creek, Calif.) scored late in the second period to tie the game, but the U.S. National Under-17 Team couldn't weather a six-goal onslaught in the third and suffered a 7-1 defeat at the hands of the Youngstown Phantoms here tonight at the Covelli Center. It was the last game of the season for the U17 squad.

The Phantoms scored first 10:17 into the second stanza, but Khodorenko found the back of the net in the final two minutes of the stanza to send the game to the third frame knotted at 1-1. Zach Walker (Boise, Idaho) and Graham McPhee (Bethesda, Md.) earned the assists on the play.

A wild third period, which saw a combined 88 penalty minutes between both squads, proved the difference as the Phantoms exploded for six goals. The first Youngstown tally didn't come on the power play however, but the quick score 14 seconds in gave the Phantoms a 2-1 lead. Youngstown would go on to net five more markers, three with the man advantage, and send Team USA away with a 7-1 setback. 

Goaltender Corbin Kaczperski (China Township, Mich.) started for Team USA and made 27 saves in the loss.

The U.S. National Under-17 Team will continue to train in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in preparation for the 2015-16 season as they "graduate" to the U.S. National Under-18 Team. The squad will be the first to play in the newly acquired USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan.

Youngstown outshot Team USA, 34-15 ... The U17s went 0-8 on the power play while the Phantoms went 2-6 ... The U.S. National Under-17 Team finished the 2014-15 season against NAHL, USHL and international competition with a combined record of 19-34-2 (W-L-OTL). Internationally, Team USA claimed second-place finishes at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and both the Four and Five Nations Tournaments ... Patrick Khodorenko finished the 2014-15 season with six goals in his last four games. His 10-game point streak (8-5) dated back to March 13 ... Corbin Kaczperski was called up from the Belle Tire midget major program of the Tier I Elite Hockey League. He made his debut for the NTDP last night in a 3-1 setback at the hands of Youngstown in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

1. Kyle Connor, Youngstown

2. Maxim Letunov, Youngstown

3. Patrick Khodorenko, Team USA