Team USA takes top spot in Group B in pool play at U18 Worlds

By Michael Caples –

With three straight wins, the Americans have rebounded and taken the top spot in the group at the U18 Worlds.

Team USA topped host country Finland by a score of 4-3 today, finishing pool play with a 3-0-0-1 record and taking the top spot in Group B at the .

The American squad dropped their first game to Switzerland, losing 4-2. Since that time, they have outscored their opponents 14-3, recording victories over the Czech Republic, Demark, and now Finland.

With their top seed in their group, Team USA will now move to the quarterfinals, and play Slovakia on Thursday. Fans can watch the game online at FASTHockey.com for free.

Shelby Township native Kyle Connor, one of a select few invited to join the NTDP U18 squad for the tournament, has scored a goal in all four of Team USA’s games thus far. The University of Michigan commit, currently playing for the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL, also leads the team in plus/minus with a +5.

Fellow invitee and Plymouth Whalers goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic holds a 2-1 record with a shutout in the three games he has started for the U18 team. He has recorded a 2.01 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage.

NTDP forwards and Michigan natives Dylan Larkin (Waterford) and Dylan Pavelek (Marysville) have yet to score, while Larkin has one assist.

Michigan State commit Ed Minney, competing for time between the pipes with Nedeljkovic, recorded a shutout after having to make only eight saves in his one appearance at the tournament.

Sonny Milano currently leads the team in scoring, having registered two goals and four assists over four games. Jack Eichel is one point behind, with three goals and two assists to his name.