PLYMOUTH, Mich. - The U.S. National Under-17 Team outshot Cedar Rapids, 31-29, but was downed by the RoughRiders, 3-0, here tonight at USA Hockey Arena.

In the opening period, USA and Cedar Rapids traded chances throughout the frame. However, neither squad could convert, ending the session scoreless. U.S. goaltender Dylan St. Cyr (Northville, Mich.) turned aside all 10 RoughRider shots he faced, while Cedar Rapids netminder Ben Blacker stopped seven U.S. chances. 

Cedar Rapids opened the scoring with back-to-back tallies just over one minute apart early in the second stanza. Team USA’s best chance came near the five-minute mark of the period when forward Keenan Suthers (Macomb, Mich.) stole the puck near center ice for a breakaway chance. Blacker stopped Suthers' attempt however to keep Cedar Rapids’ 2-0 lead intact. The RoughRiders notched a third marker with just over a minute to go to end the frame up, 3-0.

During a physical third session, Team USA looked to light the lamp in a comeback bid. The Under-17 Team outshot Cedar Rapids, 12-2, but were unable to convert, leaving the final score, 3-0.

The U.S. National Under-17 Team heads to the road next weekend when it faces the Chicago Steel for back-to-back games on March 11-12. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on Friday and 8 p.m. on Saturday. Both contests will be steamed online through FASTHockey.com.