Team USA defeats Slovakia 5-3

After losing their first two games in the 2007 Under-18 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka, Team USA bounced back today to defeat Slovakia by a 5-3 score. From a WCHA perspective, Denver recruit Nate Dewhurst scored two goals for the U.S., with Minnesota recruit Aaron Ness chipping in a goal as well. North Dakota recruit Mike Cichy and Wisconsin recruit Jake Gardiner had assists. UMD recruit Brady Hjelle got the win in goal for the U.S.

Team USA falls to Russia 5-3

Team USA was defeated in their first official game in the 2007 Under-18 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka by Russia 5-3 today. Mike Cichy, who will join North Dakota in the fall of 2008, had a pair of assists for Team USA, while Nate Dewhurst, a '08 recruit for Denver, scored a goal for the U.S. Jordy Murray (Wisconsin, 2008) also had an assist.

Team USA takes on Finland in their second of three first-round games tomorrow.

UPDATE: UMD recruit Brady Hjelle (2008) started in goal for the U.S. He made 28 saves in the loss.