Picking Up Where They Left Off

Forwards Joel Farabee (Cicero, N.Y./USAH NTDP) and Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass./USAH NTDP) started their second appearance for Team USA in the IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship by each scoring goals in the tournament opener, with Wahlstrom collecting two.

The duo helped the U.S. claim its tournament record 10th gold medal in last year's tournament in Poprad and Spisska Nova Ves, Slovakia. 

In last year's tournament Farabee saved his best game for last as he recorded two goals, including the eventual game-winner, in Team USA's 4-2 victory against Finland in the gold-medal game. He earned Player of the Game honors for his efforts. The New York native finished the tournament tied for sixth on the team in scoring with six points (3-3-6). 

Wahlstrom finished last year's tournament tied with Max Gildon (Plano, Texas/University of New Hampshire) for the team lead in goals with four in seven games. Wahlstrom scored two goals, including the game-winner, in Team USA's final preliminary round victory (USA, 5-1) against Sweden. 

USA Falls to Canada, 6-4 in Tournament Opener

Today marked the beginning of the Tournament for the U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team. Forward Jack Hughes (Orlando, Fla./USAH NTDP) recorded three points and Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass./USAH NTDP) scored twice for Team USA but fell 6-4 to Canada at Metallurg Arena.

“We can take a lot from this game, said U.S. head coach Seth Appert (Cottage Grove, Minn.). “We were a bit nervous and hyper and we need to clean up some of the mistakes, but I liked how we responded in the third period and we will respond to the adversity of this loss tomorrow.”