The U.S. National Under-18 Team erased a two-goal deficit in the third period but still fell to the Madison Capitols, 4-2, here tonight at USA Hockey Arena.

The Capitols took a five-on-three advantage late in the first period, but the Under-18 Team successfully killed off the penalties and the period closed at 0-0.

With 9:23 on the clock in the second period, Madison's Easton Brodzinski made it 1-0 when he stuffed the puck into the lower right corner of the net. Immediately after, Scott Reedy (Prior Lake, Minn.) almost evened the score when his shot rang off the post.

Team USA entered the third period down 1-0.

In the opening minutes of the stanza, Sean Dhooghe (Aurora, Ill.) had an opportunity to make it 1-1 but his shot from the high slot hit off the left post.

At 5:24, Cole Hults finished a rebound to extend Madison's lead to 2-0. Less than two minutes later, Evan Barratt (Bristol, Pa.) and Reedy took off on a two-on-one. Barratt slid the puck to Reedy, who tapped it in at the right post to put Team USA on the board.

Max Gildon (Plano, Texas) tied it at 2-2 as he intercepted an attempted clear at the blue line and sent a rocket past Madison goaltender Dryden McKay for his first goal of the season.

The Capitols regained the lead with 6:04 on the clock when Billy Jerry put away a loose puck in the crease. Kevin O'Neil scored an empty-net goal with :23 to play to account for the 4-2 final.

The teams will complete their two-game series at 7 p.m. ET tomorrow at USA Hockey Arena.

1. Easton Brodzinski (Madison)
2. Billy Jerry (Madison)
3. Scott Reedy (USA)