SOCHI, Russia – Connor Clifton (Matawan, N.J.) scored one goal and added an assist, as the U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team bested Canada, 4-1, here tonight at the Bolshoy Ice Dome in a pre-tournament game preceding the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Under-18 Championship, which runs from April 18-28, in Sochi, Russia.

"It was great to see game action tonight after two weeks in between contests," said Don Granato, head coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team. "All four lines had great chemistry and we'll use tonight's experience to prepare for Russia on Thursday."

Team USA struck first at 12:29 of the opening period. Evan Allen (Sterling Heights, Mich.) wristed the puck over Canadian goaltender Spencer Martin into the far corner of the net. Michael McCarron (Macomb, Mich.) and Tyler Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass.) assisted on the power-play marker. Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.) turned aside six shots in the frame.

The U.S. doubled its lead at 13:43 of the second stanza when Jack Eichel (North Chelmsford, Mass.) found the back of the net on a rebound. Hudson Fasching (Burnsville, Minn.) had the initial shot, earning an assist, while Clifton registered the second assist. Team USA outshot Canada, 9-6, in the frame.

The Americans staked a three-goal lead at 10:02 of the final period, when Clifton launched a slap shot past Philippe Desrosiers. Tyler Motte (St. Clair, Mich.) earned the lone assist. Sean Malone (West Seneca, N.Y.) added to the Team USA advantage when he jammed the puck past the goal line. McCarron collected his second helper on the night. Canada answered right back, but the U.S. lead proved insurmountable and Team USA won, 4-1.

Demko and Blake Weyrick (Ojai, Calif.) combined to stop 20 shots in the victory for the U.S., while Martin and Desrosiers combined to make 23 saves in the loss for Canada.

The U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team opens tournament play on Thursday (April 18) against Russia at 8 p.m. local time (12 p.m. EDT), at the Bolshoy Ice Dome. The game will be streamed live on FASTHockey.com.

Team USA outshot Canada, 27-21 ... The U.S. finished 1-for-4 on the power play, while Canada went 0-for-3 with the man advantage ... Twenty-two players on the U.S. roster come from USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program ... The U.S. enters the tournament having captured a record nine consecutive medals, including back-to-back gold medals in 2005-06, four straight gold medals from 2009-12, two silver medals (2004, 2007) and one bronze medal (2008). Team USA’s seven gold medals are the most of any country in IIHF Men's World Under-18 Championship history (event began in 1999). Team USA earned its first gold medal in 2002 … The U.S. is in Group A with the Czech Republic, Finland, Latvia and Russia. Group B consists of Canada, Germany, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland.