SAULT STE. MARIE, Ontario — Three different U.S. players scored power-play goals to give the U.S. National Under-17 Team a 3-2 win against Canada White in the preliminary round of the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge here tonight.
“I thought our guys played well,” said Danton Cole, head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team. “They kept pushing us the whole way and I like the way our guys battled.”
The scoring opened at 13:15 as Jake Wise (North Andover, Mass.) sent a cross-ice pass to Jacob Semik (Canton, Mich.) in the right faceoff circle and Semik scored through a screen during a U.S. power play.
Blade Jenkins (Jackson, Mich.) doubled Team USA’s lead when he connected with Bode Wilde (Birmingham, Mich.) and buried a one-timer from the right circle with 6:59 on the clock in the second period.
Canada White responded with a series of chances on U.S. goaltender Keegan Karki (Sartell, Minn.). With 1:59 to play in the frame, the puck deflected off a skate and into the U.S. net to bring the score to 2-1 entering the third.
Elijah Brown tied the game during a Team USA penalty kill after his point shot was redirected off a stick into the net.
Joel Farabee (Cicero, N.Y.) added the third power-play goal of the game for the U.S. with a rocket from deep in the right circle at 14:52. Wilde picked up his second assist of the night while Ty Emberson (Eau Claire, Wis.) also got a point on the play.
Canada White pulled goaltender Marshall Frappier in the final minutes of play, but the Canadians received two penalties and couldn’t solve the U.S.
Karki finished with 20 saves, while Frappier turned away 31 shots.
NOTES: Jacob Semik was named the U.S. Player of the Game … Joel Farabee’s game-winning goal marked his second consecutive game-winner … Team USA is 1-1-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) at this year’s tournament, good for first place in Group A … The U.S. is competing in Group A with Canada Black, Canada White and the Czech Republic, while Group B includes Canada Red, Finland, Russia and Sweden …
