General | 12/12/2023 8:30:23 PM

Team USA at 2023 World Junior A Challenge | Dec. 12, 2023

Team USA 7, Sweden 4
 

  Truro, N.S. ---- Team USA skated to a 7-3 win over Sweden Tuesday night at the 2023 World Junior A Challenge taking place in Truro, N.S.

The American squad, made up of 22 players from the United States Hockey League, received a four-point effort from forward Trevor Connelly (Tri-City) who scored twice and assisted on two others in the win.

Brandon Svoboda (Youngstown) got things rolling for Team USA when he scored a shorthanded goal at 3:33 of the first. After Sweden scored on the power play, defenseman Will Felicio (Madison) moved in from the blue line and scored at 11:52 and at the end of the first 20 minutes of action, Team USA held a 2-1 lead.

Lucas Pettersson brought Sweden even at 2:12 of the second, but Beckett Hendrickson’s (Sioux Falls) goal 18 seconds later put Team USA up by a goal. A Swedish power play marker at 4:47 tied the game, but when Chris Pelosi (Sioux Falls) finished off a nice pass from Kaden Shahan (Sioux City) with Team USA on the power play at 7:23, it became a 4-3 lead. Connelly tallied his first goal of the game at 13:38 when he scored off a rebound chance and after two periods of play the score favored Team USA 5-3.

James Reeder (Dubuque) scored his fourth goal of the tournament when he scored on the power play at 3:38 after taking a nice feed from Mac Swanson (Fargo).  Connelly scored the last goal of the game, flipping the puck into the net after taking a backhand pass from Reeder at 6:32.

Hampton Slukynsky had 15 saves for Team USA, which now stands 2-0-0 for the tournament.

Team USA, which is led by head coach Matt Smaby (Waterloo), continues action at the tournament Thursday with a game vs. Canada West.  Faceoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST.

Be sure to check out the USA Hockey WJAC page for more information.

- 30 -