U-18 Men's World Championship: Connelly Shines In USA's 7-1 Over Latvia
Tri-City Storm forward Trevor Connelly tallied four points in Team USA's 7-1 win on Sunday
Photo courtesy of Steven Ellis / Daily Faceoff - U-18 Men's World Championship: Connelly Shines In USA's 7-1 Over LatviaThe U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team topped Latvia 7-1 in preliminary-round play of the 2024 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship on Sunday.
With the win, Team USA improved to a perfect 3-0 to start the tournament.
Trevor Connelly (2024) led all skaters with four points (2-2-4), while Teddy Stiga (2024) finished with three points (1-2-3).
The Americans scored three times in the first 20 minutes before adding two more goals in each of the second and third periods.
1st Period
Team USA wasted no time in opening the scoring. Cole Hutson (2024) potted the game's first goal just 26 seconds into the first period on a wrister from the left-wing circle.
Five minutes later, Trevor Connelly (2024) tallied his second goal of the tournament to give Team USA a 2-0 lead. The Tri-City Storm forward darted through the slot and the Latvia defense before ripping a shot into the back of the net.
Latvia made a strong pushback and outshot the Americans 15-10 in the opening 20 minutes. USA goaltender Nick Kempf made a couple of big-time saves in the first period on defensive breakdowns to keep a clean sheet.
After Latvia was called for a Too Many Men penalty late in the period, Teddy Stiga (2024) made it a 3-0 lead for Team USA after Connelly found his teammate in the slot from below the net.
2nd Period
Connelly tallied his third point of the night on LJ Mooney's (2025) second goal of the tournament at 7:55 of the second period, giving the Americans a 4-0 lead.
Cole Eiserman (2024) extended Team USA's lead to 5-0 with under five minutes left in the frame on a bang-bang play in front of the Latvia net. Logan Hensler (2025) and Stiga registered assists on the play.
Eiserman moved within two goals of Cole Caufield's NTDP scoring record with the goal.
Latvia got one back with 1:07 left to play in the frame on Daniels Serkins' first of the tournament.
Team USA outshot Latvia 14-6 in the period.
3rd Period
Caleb Heil (2024) saw his first action of the tournament, taking over the USA net at the 6:39 mark of the third period.
Shortly after Latvia was called for an interference penalty, James Hagens (2025) ripped a shot from the left-wing circle short-side into the back of the net, extending USA's lead to 6-1.
Less than four minutes later, Connelly added his second goal of the night in thrilling fashion, completing "The Michigan" from below the net. For his efforts, Connelly was named Team USA's Player of the Game.
Team USA will wrap up Preliminary Round action against Finland on Tuesday, with puck drop set for 11:00 a.m. EST.