The U.S. U18s bounce back from a loss to Sweden, while the Swedes hand the U17s a defeat in respective Five Nations competitions.
While the NHL is ramping up for the 4 Nations Faceoff next week, the USA NTDP U17 and U18 teams are in the thick of their respective Five Nations tournaments this week.
After dropping a 7-2 decision to Sweden in their Five Nations opener earlier in the week in Angelholm, Swe., the U18s bounced back for a 3-2 overtime win over Finland Thursday afternoon.
Cole McKinney scored with just 25 seconds left in the overtime frame to seal the comeback victory for the U.S.
The Finns almost scored in the opening five minutes of the contest, but U.S. netminder Joey Slavick made a spectacular right-pad save on a shorthanded breakaway attempt.
Finland, however, did manage to get on the board first late in the period. Jere Somervuori redirected a puck in front on a 5-on-3 advantage.
Aapo Vanninen made the score 2-0 Finland on the ensuing power-play. Both goalies kept each team from scoring in the second period.
Jack Murtagh finally got the U.S. on the board with a breakaway tally at 5:56 of the third. After an errant Finland pass, the Boston University commit outraced the defense for a five-hole finish.
The Americans then tied the game 2-2 after pulling Slavick with just over a minute left in regulation. The extra attacker paid off, as McKinney found LJ Mooney at the left circle. Mooney fed Will Moore for a backdoor tap-in.
In overtime, Moore fed Murtagh at the right circle, who passed across the crease to McKinney. The Lake Forest, Ill. Native rifled in a one-timer to complete a come-from-behind win for the Americans, who will next face Switzerland Friday morning. Puck drop is set for 9:30 Am ET.
In Helsinki, Finland, site of the U17 Five Nations Tournament, the Americans dropped a 4-2 decision to Sweden Wednesday in their opener. Casey Mutryn and Logan Staurt each scored for Team USA, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Swedes.