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Gameday: U.S. Continues Hlinka Gretzky Cup With Matchup vs. Slovakia

By USA Hockey, 08/06/19, 9:00AM EDT

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Puck drops at 1 p.m. ET

The U.S. Under-18 Men's Select Team continues preliminary play with a test against tournament co-host Slovakia today at Easton Arena. Puck drop is slated for 1 p.m. ET. 

Today's Opponent: Slovakia

Team USA is 5-0 (W-L) in its last five meetings with Slovakia at the Hlinka Tournament. Most recently, the U.S. defeated Slovakia, 10-4, in a pre-tournament exhibition during last year's event. In 2015, the U.S. topped Slovakia, 7-3, featuring a three-point performance from Casey Mittelstadt (Eden Prairie, Minn.), who will begin his second full season as a forward for the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL this year.

During the 2013 tournament, the U.S. closed out preliminary play with a 5-2 win over Slovakia to earn a semifinal berth against the Czech Republic. Team USA went on to face Canada in the championship, falling 4-0 to finish second. Nick Schmaltz (Verona, Wis.) notched two goals and an assist to lead the U.S. in scoring.

In the last five meetings, Team USA has outscored Slovakia 38-13. 

Game 1 Recap:

The U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team fell, 6-2, to Russia in its tournament-opening game Monday evening at Easton Arena.

Team USA took a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission thanks to goals from Jake Ratzlaff (Rosemount, Minn.) and Blake Biondi (Edina, Minn.), but a four-goal surge in the middle frame gave Russia a 4-2 lead at the end of the second period. 

Despite outshooting Russia 15-6 in the final frame, Russia added two more goals to earn a 6-2 win over the U.S. Louden Hogg (Edina, Minn.) made 21 saves in goal for Team USA.

The U.S. outshot Russia 33-27, while holding their opponent scoreless in five power-play attempts. 

2019 U.S. Roster

2019 Homepage

U.S. Schedule

Date Opponent Round Time (Local/ET)/Result Location Streaming Statistics U.S. Player of Game
Thurs., Aug. 1 Hungary (Under-20) Exhibition W, 6-4 Budapest, Hungary Live Stream
Box Score Alex Gaffney
Sat., Aug. 3 Czech Republic Exhibition L, 1-3 Břeclav, Czech Republic Requires VPN with Czech IP Address Box Score Louden Hogg
Mon., Aug. 5 Russia Preliminary L, 2-6
Piešťany, Slovakia Requires VPN with Slovakia IP Address
Box Score Jake Ratzlaff
Tues., Aug. 6 Slovakia Preliminary W, 4-3 (OT)
Piešťany, Slovakia Requires VPN with Slovakia IP Address
Box Score Ryan Beck
Wed., Aug. 7 Sweden Preliminary L, 4-5 (SOL)
Piešťany, Slovakia Requires VPN with Slovakia IP Address
Box Score Ryan Kirwan
Fri., Aug. 9 Czech Republic Fifth-Place Game L, 3-4 (OT)
Břeclav, Czech Republic Requires VPN with Czech IP Address
Box Score Wyatt Kaiser

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