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Photo by Phil Andrarychak
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. -- Luke Tuch (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) scored the OT game-winner as the U.S. National Under-17 Team defeated the Johnstown Tomahawks, 4-3, in their second preseason exhibition game at 1st Summit Arena at Cambria County War Memorial.
Following a one goal deficit entering the second period, Team USA's Hunter McKown (St. Louis, Mo.) netted the equalizer on the power play 3:20 into the frame when he deflected a Daniel Laatsch (Altoona, Wis.) shot. Tuch also recorded an assist on the play.
Team USA took the lead with 9:40 remaining in the second when Ty Smilanic (Elizabeth, Colo.) scored with the assist of Chase Yoder (Fairview, Texas).
The lead doubled when Thomas Bordeleau (Houston, Texas) scored 1:24 into the third. McKown tallied an assist on the play.
Johnstown responded just under three minutes later, before they scored again with 4:16 left in the game, resulting in a tie 3-3 game after regulation.
Tuch netted the game winner on a breakaway 1:40 into the five minute 3-on-3 overtime, resulting in the 4-3 final.
Noah Grannan (Germantown, Wis.) started in net, playing 30:12 and saw 15 shots, while Drew Commesso (Norwell, Mass.) played 31:28 and saw 26 shots.
The U17s return to action Sept. 21 vs the Northeast Generals in Blaine, Minn.
NOTES: Team USA recorded 23 shots on goal ... they went 1-for-3 on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.