Cole Eiserman broke the NTDP scoring record in the second period of Team USA's gold-medal game against Canada. However, Trevor Connelly's major penalty in the third period proved costly as the Americans lost their lead and the game.
Cole Eiserman broke the NTDP scoring record in the second period of Team USA's gold-medal game against Canada. However, Trevor Connelly's major penalty in the third period proved costly as the Americans lost their lead and the game.
The U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team will leave Finland with a silver-medal finish in the 2024 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship after seeing their third-period lead evaporate.
With his power-play goal at the 8:31 mark of the second period, Cole Eiserman broke Cole Caufield's NTDP scoring record of 126 career goals.
The Americans took a 1-0 lead with 52 seconds left in the first period on Christian Humphreys' fourth goal of the tournament. The University of Michigan commit took the puck to the side of the cage and buried a backhander past Canada goaltender Carter George.
After Canada tied the game early in the second period, Eiserman connected on the power play to give Team USA a 2-1 lead. Cole Hutson set up Eiserman's one-timer and was part of the play that helped James Hagens' break the U18 scoring record as well.
Less than five minutes after Eiserman's goal, Hutson tallied one of his own to make it a 3-1 USA lead. However, Canada got one back late in the second period on Gavin McKenna's first of three goals in the game.
Clinging to a 3-2 lead in the third period, Trevor Connelly was assessed a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct for an illegal check to the head. Canada would score three times on the ensuing power play, including McKenna's second, which tied the game at three.
Brodie Ziemer got one back with just over four minutes left to bring Team USA back within one. However, McKenna hit the empty net with 1:18 to play to seal a gold-medal finish for Canada.
Let's go to our Team USA standouts from the game.
Cole Eiserman, F
You could tell that Eiserman wanted to break the NTDP scoring record. Moments before he converted, the Boston University commit had three chances in quick succession. Eiserman finished with a goal on six shots and logged his highest ice time of the tournament (18:15).
Cole Hutson, D
Ranked No. 55 by Central Scouting in the final rankings, Hutson could have very well put his name into first-round conversation after his performance in this tournament. The young blueliner led all Team USA skaters with three points (1-2-3) and recorded the primary assist on Eiserman's record-breaker.
Shane Vansaghi, F
Despite logging only 5:40 time on ice, Vansaghi had one of his best, if not the best, games of the tournament. The Michigan State commit played really hard in all three zones and recorded a beautiful centering feed on Hutson's goal in the second period.
Brodie Ziemer, F
Not only did Ziemer find the back of the net for the third time in the tournament, but the forward logged his highest time on ice (21:33). He also had what felt like four or five consecutive scoring chances in Team USA's power play to close out the second period.
James Hagens, F
For the first time in the tournament, Hagens was held without a point, despite registering six shots on goal. Still, he was active in the offensive zone, consistently creating plays for his teammates. The Boston College commit was rightfully named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
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