PUCHOV, Slovakia — Jake Tortora (Victor, N.Y.) netted the game-winning goal in overtime as the U.S. National Under-17 Team upended Russia, 5-4, in the opening contest at the 2015 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament here at Zimny stadión Púchov.
Team USA jumped to an early 1-0 lead off the stick of Grant Mismash (Edina, Minn.) just 2:25 into the game. Evan Barratt (Bristol, Pa.) and Max Gildon (Plano, Texas) assisted on the goal. Josh Norris (Oxford, Mich.) doubled the U.S. lead midway through the frame. Russia evened the score, 2-2, off back-to-back tallies. Both goals were scored on the power play with one coming off a two-man advantage.
Barratt restaked the lead for the United States, 3-2, at 6:17 of the second stanza. Scott Reedy (Prior Lake, Minn.) earned the lone assist. Russia answered with a power-play marker midway through the period. Norris’ second goal of the game came at 13:21 with helpers being awarded to Quinn Hughes (Orlando, Fla.) and Brady Tkachuk (St. Louis, Mo.). Less than one minute later, Russia’s fourth power-play goal tied the contest once more.
After skating through a scoreless third period, the game came down to a deciding overtime period. Tortora lit the lamp 1:39 into the extra frame to claim the victory. Mismash and Gildon registered assists on the game winner.
Dylan St. Cyr (Northville, Mich.) stopped 28 total shots between the pipes for the U.S. in the victory.
The U.S. National Under-17 Team resumes Four Nations Tournament action tomorrow (Dec. 19) versus host Slovakia. Puck drop is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET at Zimny stadión Púchov. Team USA previously defeated Slovakia, 8-3, in pre-tournament play on Dec. 16.
Notes: Team USA outshot Russia, 37-32 … For a complete U.S. roster click here … The U.S. National Under-17 Team has claimed the tournament title five of the last six seasons and eight times total dating back to 2001 … The official tournament website can be found here … Follow @USAHockeyNTDP and @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for tournament updates and join the conversation on social media by using the #4NationsU17 tag … Don Granato (Downers Grove, Ill.) is the head coach for the U.S. National Under-17 Team. Joining Granato on the bench is 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 11:00 a.m.
Sun., Dec. 20 Switzerland Zimny stadión Púchov 5:00 a.m.
*Pre-tournament game
