SAULT STE. MARIE, Ontario — Team USA made a late comeback attempt, adding three goals in the third period, but ultimately was unable to make up a four-goal deficit as the U.S. National Under-17 Team fell to Sweden, 4-3, in the quarterfinal round of the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge here today.
At 6:16 of the first period, Jonatan Berggren scored off a rebound on the short side to put Sweden on the board first.
Just past the midway point of the period, the U.S. went down a player after being whistled for holding. Seconds into the penalty kill, Joel Farabee (Cicero, N.Y.) had a near breakaway, but his shorthanded attempt was denied by goaltender Olof Lindbom.
Team USA started the second period with :43 of power play time, followed by back-to-back man advantages at 3:48 and 6:11. Despite putting a flurry of shots on net and receiving two more power plays in the second half of the period, the U.S. couldn’t convert.
With 2:26 on the clock, Sweden’s David Gustafsson sniped a shot low glove-side from the right circle to make it 2-0.
In the last minute of the second stanza, Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass.) rushed the net and nearly solved Lindbom, but his shot was redirected high. Despite outshooting Sweden 15-3 in the period, the U.S. entered the final frame down two goals.
In the opening three minutes of the third period, Sweden converted on two breakaway attempts to extend its lead to 4-0.
The U.S. got on the board at 5:01 when Patrick Giles (Chevy Chase, Md.) intercepted an attempted clearance along the right boards and found Erik Middendorf (Scottsdale, Ariz.) alone of front of Sweden’s net.
With 3:15 to play, Bode Wilde (Birmingham, Mich.) scored on a wrist shot from the blue line during a U.S. power play to bring the score to 4-2. Spencer Stastney (Mequon, Wis.) was credited with the lone assist on the goal.
Team USA pulled goaltender Keegan Karki (Sartell, Minn.) to opt for the extra skater in the final minutes during a U.S. power play. With :43 on the clock, Wilde blasted a shot off the boards behind the Swedish net, and the puck popped out in front to Farabee, who netted it to make it 4-3.
The U.S. will play in a placement game tomorrow (Nov. 4). The opponent and time are to be determined based on the results of today’s other quarterfinal games.
NOTES: Bode Wilde was named the U.S. Player of the Game … For more information on the U.S. National Under-17 Team competing at the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, click here … The U.S. is now 1-1-0-2 (W-OTW-OTL-L) at this year’s tournament.
