JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - Connor Kelley (Maple Grove, Minn.) and Hunter Strand (Anchorage, Alaska) scored the first goals of the season for the U.S. National Under-17 Team in its 6-2 season-opening loss to the Johnstown Tomahawks on Friday night at 1st Summit Arena at Cambria County War Memorial.

After a scoreless first period of play, Johnstown jumped out to a 4-0 lead before Kelley took a feed from Daniel Laatsch (Altoona, Wis.) to get Team USA on the board at 17:46. Thomas Bordeleau (Houston, Texas) also earned his first assist on the play.

Johnstown added two more goals in the third period while Strand earned his first goal of the season, assisted by Eamon Powell (Marcellus, N.Y.) and Jacob Truscott (Fort Gratiot, Mich), at 8:23 of the final frame.

Drew Commesso (Norwell, Mass.) started in net and faced 14 shots and 2 goals against, while Noah Grannan (Germantown, Wis.) faced 16 shots and 4 goals against in relief. 

The U17s are back in action tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. in a rematch with the Tomahawks at 1st Summit Arena.