The Aces netted three goals in the opening frame before Berard converted 8:10 into the middle frame, with assists by Thomas Bordeleau (Houston, Texas) and Dylan Peterson (Roseville, Calif.) 

Team USA got on the scoresheet again after four more consecutive goals by the Aces, with a goal from Smilanic 6:29 into the third period, assisted by Landon Slaggert (South Bend, Ind.) and Owen Gallatin (Hugo, Minn.). Latsch netted a goal with 7:54 remaining in the game, but Team USA was unable to come back from the four-goal deficit, resulting in the 7-3 final.

Noah Grannan (Germantown, Wis.) stopped 35 of 42 shots in net for Team USA. 

The U17s return to action tomorrow against the Aces at 7:07 CT.

Team USA returns home to USA Hockey Arena next Sunday (2 p.m.) with a  2 p.m. ET matchup against the USHL's Dubuque Fighting Saints in USA Hockey's first Sensory Friendly Game. More information on this event can be found here. Tickets for all Team USA games can be purchased by visiting the USA Hockey Arena Box Office located at 14900 Beck Road in Plymouth, Michigan, by calling (734) 453-8400 or by visiting USAHockeyNTDP.com/Tix.