PLYMOUTH, Mich. – Three different players scored but the U.S. National Under-17 Team was edged, 4-3, in overtime by the Czech Republic here tonight at USA Hockey Arena. The game was the first for Team USA at the 2016 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament.
The United States struck first 1:27 into the opening frame when Josh Norris (Oxford, Mich.) jammed the puck past Czech Republic goaltender Tomas Vomacka during a net-front scrum. The Czechs responded with back-to-back tallies 1:03 apart to chase U.S. starting goaltender Adam Scheel (Lakewood, Ohio).
In the second period, the U.S. controlled play for a majority of the frame, outshooting its opponent 17-3, but the Czech Republic extended its lead at 9:16. Team USA answered when with 29 seconds remaining on the clock, Jacob Tortora (Victor, N.Y.) skated end-to-end and deked Vomacka to pull the United States back within a goal.
Evan Barratt (Bristol, Pa.) stuffed a rebound, from a Reilly Walsh (Andover, N.H.) shot on the power play, under the goaltender to knot the game, 3-3, just 2:37 into the third period. Sean Dhooghe (Aurora, Ill.) also collected an assist on the play. The U.S. outshot the Czech Republic, 14-6, but neither team found the back of the net and game went into overtime.
A late tripping penalty on the U.S. gave the Czechs the man advantage in the extra frame. Dylan St. Cyr (Northville, Mich.) got a piece of the game-winning goal but the puck went up and over the goaltender, ending the game, 4-3, in favor of the Czech Republic.
St. Cyr stopped 10 shots in 53:38 of relief time for Team USA in the setback, while Scheel made four saves. Vomacka turned aside 49 saves for the Czech Republic in the victory.
The U.S. National Under-17 Team is back in action tomorrow (Feb. 10) versus Finland. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. ET at USA Hockey Arena. The game will stream live on FASTHockey.com.
NOTES: The United States outshot the Czech Republic, 52-18 … Team USA went 1-6 on the power play while the Czech Republic went 1-3 … The U.S. roster is composed of 20 members from the 2015-16 U.S. National Under-17 Team, part of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program … Defenseman Reilly Walsh (Proctor Academy) and forward Vanya Lodnia (Erie Otters) are additions to the lineup … For a complete roster click here … Team USA is competing against teams from the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia and Sweden in the round-robin tournament … Team USA finished second in last year’s tournament held in Dmitrov, Russia … Follow @USAHockeyNTDP and @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for tournament updates and join the conversation on social media by using the #5NationsU17 tag.
Team USA Schedule | 2016 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament
Feb. 9-13 | USA Hockey Arena | Plymouth, Michigan
Date Game Time (ET) / Result
Sat., Feb. 6 Czech Republic* W, 4-2
Tues., Feb. 9 Czech Republic L, 4-3 (OT)
Wed., Feb. 10 Finland 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 12 Sweden 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 13 Russia 7:00 p.m.
*Pre-tournament game
