BRNO, Czech Republic — Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass.) registered two points (1-1) as the U.S. National Under-17 Team clipped Russia, 4-3, here today at DRFG Arena. With the victory, Team USA improves to 1-0-0-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L) at the 2017 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament and will face Finland tomorrow (Feb. 10) at 12:30 p.m. ET.
The first frame ended scoreless despite pressure by Team USA during a power-play opportunity just past the midway point of the period. Bode Wilde (Birmingham, Mich.) nearly converted with the man advantage for the U.S. when he blasted a one-timer from in close, but his attempt was denied.
In the final minutes of the first, the U.S. successfully killed off a Russian power play to keep the game deadlocked, 0-0.
Blade Jenkins (Jackson, Mich.) put Team USA on the board at 12:59 of the middle stanza when he collected the puck in the neutral zone, skated into Russia’s end, and snapped a wrist shot far-side past the goalie. Jack DeBoer (Madison, N.J.) picked up the lone assist on the tally.
The game remained in favor of the United States heading into the third period and Wahlstrom doubled the lead, 2-0, just 73 seconds into the final frame. Wahlstrom rocketed a shot that rebounded off the glass to the low slot, where he was able to finish his own rebound for the score.
Team USA extended its lead to 3-0 about one minute later as Wahlstrom factored in on the U.S. goal once more. Skating the puck in along the right side, Wahlstrom slid the puck to Jonathan Gruden (Rochester, Mich.) alone in front of the net for the tap-in goal.
A pair of quick conversions by Russia 1:10 apart cut the U.S. lead to 3-2.
Patrick Giles (Chevy Chase, Md.) responded for Team USA at 15:15 as he broke away from the Russian defensemen and lifted the puck over the glove of goaltender Amir Miftakhov. Joel Farabee (Cicero, N.Y.) and Jake Wise (North Andover, Mass.) assisted on the play.
A late marker by Russia’s Grigori Denisenko with 20 seconds to play accounted for the 4-3 final.
NOTES: Ryan Ullan (Hibbing, Minn.) recorded the win in net for Team USA … Oliver Wahlstrom leads the U.S. National Under-17 Team at this year’s event with three points (1-2) in two games … The U.S. is competing in the 2017 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament with Czech Republic, Finland, Russia and Sweden … Follow along on Twitter at @usahockeyntdp and using the hashtag #5NationsU17.
