MANKATO, Minn. – Hudson Fasching (Burnsville, Minn./University of Minnesota) scored 3:41 into overtime to lift the U.S. National Junior Team to a 3-2 victory over Minnesota State tonight in pre-tournament action at Verizon Wireless Center. Quentin Shore (Denver, Colo./University of Denver) and Ian McCoshen (Hudson, Wis./Boston College) also scored for Team USA.
Team USA travels to Sweden tomorrow (Dec. 18) to continue its preparation for the 2014 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship. Tournament play in Malmo, Sweden, begins Dec. 26.
"i think we learned some things with our team," said Don Lucia, head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team. "We put some people in some positions maybe they haven't been in a lot. I thought our goalies did a good job tonight. We didn't give up any five-on-five goals. Obviously, Hudson Fasching made a great play on the game-winning goal."
Following a scoreless first period, Minnesota State capitalized on a power play at 6:05 of middle frame. From the right side of the net, Jean-Paul Lafontaine tucked a rebound behind Jon Gillies (South Portland, Maine/Providence College).
Shore responded for Team USA at 8:51 with a pinpoint wrist shot from the right circle that hit the top corner of the net. Jaccob Slavin (Erie, Colo./Colorado College) and Steve Santini (Mahopac, N.Y./Boston College) picked up the assists.
MSU regained the lead with another power-play goal at 2:44 of the third period. Johnny McInnis chipped a centering pass over the glove of Anthony Stolarz (Edison, N.J.).
Team USA scored with the man-advantage at 9:03, tying the game, 2-2. From the right point, McCoshen one-timed a feed from Anthony DeAngelo (Philadelphia, Pa.) into the net. Stefan Matteau (Chicago, Ill.) also drew an assist.
On the game-winning goal, Fasching raced down the left wing, deked around a defenseman and stretched the puck around the goalie and inside the right post. Slavin collected the primary assist.
Gillies stopped 11 of 12 shots in 29:35. Stolarz made nine saves on 10 shots in 33:39.
Team USA is back in action Friday (Dec. 20) when it faces Sweden in a pre-tournament game in Angelholm, Sweden.