Under-18 Team Defeats Sweden in Overtime to Conclude Five Nations Tournament

Press Release

JONKOPING, Sweden - Evan Allen (Sterling Heights, Mich.) scored in overtime, as the U.S. National Under-18 Team defeated Sweden, 3-2, at the 2013 Five Nations Tournament here today at Kinnarps Arena. With the victory, Team USA finishes with a record of 1-1-0-2 (W-OTW-OTL-L) and earns fourth place.

"We battled hard and showed a lot of character in today's win," said Don Granato, head coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team. "This tournament will help serve as a learning experience as we fine tune our team heading into the final stages of the USHL season and the Under-18 World Championship in April."

Anthony Louis (Winfield, Ill.) netted the first goal of the game at 8:06 of the opening frame. Tyler Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass.) registered the lone assist on the score. The U.S. outshot Sweden, 23-5, in the period.

Sweden notched back-to-back goals, one on the power play, in the second stanza to gain the edge over the Americans. Team USA fired 15 shots on Swedish netminder Jonas Johansson, but was unable to find the game-tying goal before time expired on the frame.

J.T. Compher (Northbrook, Ill.) put the puck into the net at 9:55 to tie the game, 2-2. U.S. goaltender Evan Cowley (Evergreen, Colo.) turned aside all nine shots he faced to send the game into overtime.

Team USA put two shots on net in the extra period, while holding Sweden to none. Allen scored at 1:06 to send the U.S. away victorious, 3-2.

Cowley made 21 saves in the win for the Americans, while Johansson made 48 saves in the overtime loss for Sweden.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)