DMITROV, Russia – Keenan Suthers (Macomb, Mich.), Joey Anderson (Roseville, Minn.) and Max Jones (Rochester, Mich.) each scored as the U.S. National Under-17 Team defeated the Czech Republic, 3-1, here today at Dmitrov Arena. The game was the first for Team USA at the 2015 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament that runs from Feb. 3-7.
After a scoreless opening frame, the Czech Republic struck first just 44 seconds into the second period on the power play. Team USA responded at 8:38 to knot the game when a Suthers shot from the high slot snuck past Czech goaltender Adam Brizgala. Luke Martin (St. Louis, Mo.) assisted. Anderson’s breakaway tally gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead at 15:26. Graham McPhee (Bethesda, Md.) collected a helper on the play.
Jones beat a sprawled out Brizgala at 5:26 of the third frame to give Team USA a two-goal cushion; a lead the U.S. would hold onto for the win. Clayton Keller (Swansea, Ill.) and Anderson picked up the assists.
Jake Oettinger (Lakeville, Minn.) made 25 saves between the pipes for Team USA in the victory.
The U.S. National Under-17 Team resumes tournament play tomorrow (Feb. 4) against host-country Russia. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 a.m. ET.
Notes: Team USA outshot the Czech Republic, 35-26 … The U.S. went 0-4 on the power play while the Czechs went 1-6 … Follow @USAHockeyScores for live scoring updates from the tournament. Join the conversation on social media by using the hashtag #U17FiveNations … Danton Cole, head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team, is leading the squad in Russia, along with assistant coach John Gruden and intern assistant coach Tyler Walsh … All 22 players on the roster are from USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program … For the complete Under-17 Team roster, click here … Team USA claimed first place in last year’s tournament held in Sundsvall, Sweden … The U.S. National Under-17 Team trains with The Hockey IntelliGym, a revolutionary software program that trains hockey sense. To learn more, visit USAHockeyIntelliGym.com.
2015 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament
Feb. 3-6 | Dmitrov, Russia
Date Opponent Time (ET) / Result
Tues., Feb. 3 Czech Republic W, 3-1
Wed., Feb. 4 Russia 10:00 a.m.
Thurs., Feb. 5 Finland 10:00 a.m.
Fri., Feb. 6 Sweden 10:00 a.m.
