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U.S. National Under-17 Team Edged Out by Russia, 2-1, in
World Under-17 Hockey Challenge Title Game |
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U.S. Finishes in Top Three for Ninth Year in a Row
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SARNIA, Ont. – Max Jones (Rochester, Mich.) scored one goal and Jake Oettinger (Lakeville, Minn.) made 14 saves but the U.S. National Under-17 Team was edged out by Russia, 2-1, here tonight at the RBC Centre. Team USA concludes the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with a 5-0-0-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L) record and earns second place. The finish extends Team USA’s string of top-three finishes in the tournament to nine, dating back to 2006.
Russia struck first with just two minutes remaining in the opening period, capitalizing on a miscue behind the U.S. net. Team USA managed five shots on net in the period, but could not solve Russian netminder Maxim Kalyayev.
Early in the second period, Team USA appeared to have tied the game, 1-1, but the goal was waived off due to accidental contact with the goalie. Russia doubled its lead at 5:42, launching a slapshot that found the back of the net. The United States outshot Russia in the frame, but again could not beat Kalyayev.
Jones attempted to spark the comeback bid with 1:30 remaining in the final stanza. Skating down the left side and with a defender in front of him, Jones launched a shot that clanged in the goal. The final seconds saw Team USA pull Oettinger in favor of the extra attacker. The gamble would not work in the United States’ favor and the U.S. ultimately fell, 2-1.
Notes: Chad Krys (Ridgefield, Conn.) was named U.S. Player of the Game … Team USA outshot Russia, 22-16 … Team USA went 1-7 on the power play while Russia was 0-6 with the man advantage … Max Jones, Clayton Keller (Swansea, Ill.) and Krys were all named to the all-tournament team … Team USA has placed in the top three at the tournament nine consecutive times (2006, 2008-2014). No event was held in 2007 … The 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge included two groups of four teams. Group A features Canada Black, Canada White, Finland and Russia, while Group B includes Canada Red, Slovakia, Sweden and the United States … Follow @USANTDP on Twitter for follow-up on the tournament … Danton Cole (Pontiac, Mich.) has now led his U.S. National Under-17 Teams to two second-place finishes (2011, 2014) and a third-place showing in 2013.
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