COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Arthur Kaliyev (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Josh Nodler (Oak Park, Mich.) each recorded two points (1G, 1A) and U.S. goaltender Ethan Haider (Maple Grove, Minn.) made 47 saves as the United States Under-17 Men’s Select Team topped the Czech Republic 5-3 today to win the 2017 Five Nations Tournament in Ostrava, Czech Republic.
“I am super proud and happy for this group.” said U.S. head coach Pat Ferschweiler (Rochester, Minn.).“The character throughout the lineup is incredible; they are a bunch of hard-working kids who really care. Congats to all the guys, it is a great win for USA Hockey.”
Kaliyev gave the U.S. its first lead of the game when he scored on a one-timer from Nodler with 1:18 remaining in the first period.
Nine minutes into the second period, Josh Groll (San Diego, Calif.) scored a shorthanded goal on a breakaway after deking a Czech defender to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead. The Czechs responded on the power play with 10:19 remaining in the second to cut their deficit to 2-1. Then Nodler found the back of the net on the power play, tipping in a Cole McWard (Fenton, Mo.) shot to make it 3-1. At the 15:01 mark, a Czech wrist shot evaded Haider and trimmed the U.S. advantage to 3-2 entering the final period.
Just 90 seconds into the final stanza, the Czech Republic netted the equalizer with a rebound goal. Then, with under five minutes remaining in the game, Grant Silianoff (Edina, Minn.) tapped home a rebound from Kaliyev for what proved to be the title-winning goal for Team USA. Mitch Miller (Sylvania, Ohio) banked an empty-netter in the final minute, accounting for the 5-3 final.
Haider stopped 47 of 50 Czech shots in the victory. He was also named U.S. Player of the Game.
Notes: Groll led the U.S. Under-17 Men’s Select Team in goals (4G, 2A) and tied Jake Hale (Minneapolis, Minn.) for the team lead with six points (Hale recorded 3G, 3A)… Haider stopped 75 of 80 tournament shots, posting a .938 save percentage.
(USA Hockey Photo)
