Team USA skated to a 4-3 victory over Slovakia to win the 2024 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament. Here were my standouts and top performers from the game.
Team USA skated to a 4-3 victory over Slovakia to win the 2024 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament on Sunday. Here were my standouts and top performers from the game.
#16 Noah Davidson, F
Davidson was as hot as anyone down the stretch, and he saved his best for last. The Waterloo Black Hawks draft pick scored two goals, including the go-ahead tally with 1:41 left in regulation. Davidson also scored the game-tying goal early in the third period from the left-wing circle. He finished the tournament with four goals in three games played.
#23 Jack Hextall, F
Hextall picked up two assists in this game and finished the Five Nations tournament with three points (all assists). However, he was Team USA’s best player in the faceoff circle, winning 61.9% of all draws on Sunday. Hextall has a calming presence on the ice and plays with zero panic as an all-situations forward. Now, the Youngstown Phantoms tender steps into his USHL rookie season.
#4 Nick Bogas, D
No points for Bogas in this game, but he was a player who consistently got better as the tournament progressed. I thought the Waterloo Black Hawks draft pick showcased himself as a two-way defenseman with good escapibility in tight quarters. He also put his body on the line to break up a 2-on-1 rush for Slovakia in the second period of Sunday’s game.
#24 Kalder Varga, F
Kalder Varga, man. What a player. The former No. 7 overall pick in the WHL US Prospect Draft was one of Team USA’s best players and tied the game at three midway through the second period. He nearly potted a second goal after coming out of the penalty box, but Slovakia’s Samuel Hrenak turned aside the partial breakaway. Varga finished the tournament with three goals and five assists for eight points.
#22 Ryan Poirer, D
Poirer improved as the tournament progressed and played much of it on his off side. The Harvard commit recognized that Hrenak was out of position and sent a soft wrister that found the back of the net to get Team USA on the board. As a mobile defenseman, Poirer showed good playmaking abilities with his skating and hockey IQ.
#11 Will Bent, F
Incredible net-front presence for Bent this tournament. The Tri-City Storm draft pick nearly potted the go-ahead goal from a tough angle before he pushed the puck to Davidson for the game-winner. Bent finished the Five Nations tournament with four goals and five points.