Home USA US U17 Team Rolls Past Switzerlan To Finish In Third Place

US U17 Team Rolls Past Switzerlan To Finish In Third Place

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PUCHOV, Slovakia — Jake Tortora (Victor, N.Y.) scored three goals and Joey Cassetti (Pleasanton, Calif.) netted one goal and added two assists as the U.S. National Under-17 Team rolled over Switzerland, 10-1, here today at Zimny stadión Púchov. Team USA finishes at 1-1-0-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L) and places third at the 2015 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament.

Team USA opened the scoring at 4:30 of the first period when Tortora notched his first of the contest. Brady Tkachuk (St. Louis, Mo.) and Nate Knoepke (Farmington, Minn.) collected assists. Tkachuk doubled the U.S. lead, 2-0, at 8:38. The United States then reeled off three straight markers in the span of 1:01 to close the frame leading 5-0. Grant Mismash (Edina, Minn.), Cassetti and Randy Hernandez (Miami, Fla.) tallied the goals.

Tortora helped lead the charge with two scores in the second stanza. The tallies, scored at 11:15 and 16:23 bookended two additional U.S. goals potted by Brannon McManus (Newport Beach, Calif.) and Sean Dhooghe (Aurora, Ill.).

Dylan St. Cyr’s (Northville, Mich.) shutout bid was spoiled at 6:03 of the third period. The U.S. netminder made 16 total saves in the winning effort. Graham Slaggert (South Bend, Ind.) closed the scoring with 36 seconds remaining in the contest. Evan Barratt (Bristol, Pa.) and Quinn Hughes (Orlando, Fla.) assisted.

Notes: Team USA outshot Switzerland, 40-17 … For a complete U.S. roster click here … Don Granato (Downers Grove, Ill.) was the head coach for the U.S. National Under-17 Team. Joining Granato on the bench were assistant coach Nick Fohr (Grand Forks, N.D.) and intern assistant coach Greg Moore (Lisbon, Maine).

Team USA Schedule – 2015 Four Nations Tournament
Dec. 16-20 | Púchov, Slovakia

Date Opponent Venue Time (ET)
Weds., Dec. 16 Slovakia* Zimny stadión Púchov W, 8-3
Fri., Dec. 18 Russia Zimny stadión Púchov W, 5-4 (OT)
Sat., Dec. 19 Slovakia Zimny stadión Púchov L, 5-4
Sun., Dec. 20 Switzerland Zimny stadión Púchov W, 10-1
*Pre-tournament game