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U.S. Men's Nat'l Univ. Team Defeats Japan, 3-1

By USA Hockey, 03/08/19, 11:00PM EST

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Mitchell scores twice for Team USA

KRASNOYARSK, Russia  Zach Mitchell (Chicago, Ill./Lindenwood University) scored two goals as the U.S. Men’s National University Team (2-0-0-3/W-OTW-OTL-L) defeated Japan, 3-1, in its fifth and final game at the 2019 Winter World University Games.

"We came out with a win against a good Japanese team today," said Roger Grillo, head coach of the U.S. Men's National University Team. "This team had some great moments and some disappointing moments during the tournament. It was an honor to coach a group of very nice young men who had a great experience representing their country."

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Mitchell opened the scoring for Team USA just 1:19 into the contest to take the 1-0 lead. 

Jack Rowe (Cary, Ill./Arizona State University) picked up the lone assist on Mitchell's game-opening tally.

Team USA recorded eight shots on goal in the opening period.

Similar to the first period, the U.S. struck early to start the second frame.

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Ryan Finnegan (Tecumseh, Kansas/Lindenwood University) scored for Team USA just 50 seconds into the second period to double the lead and bring the score to 2-0.

Sam Rennaker (Grand Rapids, Mich./University of Maine) picked up the only assist on Finnegan's goal.

Following the Rennaker goal, Team USA took its first penalty of the game, a tripping infraction.

The U.S. successfully killed the penalty, its only infraction during the duration of the contest.

Japan scored at the 8:26 mark of the period to cut the U.S. lead in half.

The teams headed to the locker room at the end of the second stanza with Team USA leading 2-1 and outshooting Japan 23-13 through 40 minutes.

The U.S. outshot Japan 15-9 during the third period and Mitchell picked up his second goal of the contest into the empty net with 14 seconds remaining in the contest.

Cooper Seedot (Northville, Mich./Lindenwood University) recorded 21 saves on 22 shots for Team USA.

NOTES: Team USA recorded 38 shots while Japan had 22 ... Team USA went 0-for-4 on the power play and 1-for-1 on the penalty kill ... At the 2019 Winter World University Games, Team USA competed in Group A alongside the Czech Republic, Hungary, Japan, Russia and Slovakia. All games were be played at Crystal Ice Arena … For complete coverage of the U.S. at the 2019 Winter World University Games, click here.