The U.S. Men’s National Under-17 Team takes on Russia in its opening game at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST. The game will be played at the Civic Centre in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia.

Team USA won its pre-tournament game handily, 6-2, over Canada's Team Quebec last night. Jeremy Bracco (Freeport, N.Y./1-2), Luke Kirwan (Dewitt, N.Y./1-2) and Colin White (Hanover, Mass./2-1) each registered three-point efforts in the win. Michael Lackey (Washington, D.C.) and Luke Opilka (St. Louis, Mo.) split duties in net, kicking out a combined 28 shots for the U.S.

Russia survived a hard-fought battle against Canada's Team Pacific, as Ivan Kashtanov and Artur Tyanulin each scored in the shootout last night. Kashtanov and Tyanulin also scored in regulation for Russia, as well as Danila Kvartalnov, while Nikita Kolesnikov starred in goal making 39 saves in the 4-3 victory.

Team USA faced Russia last year in the semifinal round on Jan. 3, 2013. Despite gaining a 3-2 lead heading into the final period, Team USA failed to hold on, giving up four Russian tallies in the frame. Chris Wilkie (Omaha, Neb.) netted two goals, while Austin Poganski (St. Cloud, Minn.) and Jack Glover (Golden Valley, Minn.) recorded the other American goals. Chris Birdsall (Glen Rock, N.J.) made 20 saves in the 6-4 loss.

It was the second year in a row that Russia defeated the U.S. in the medal round. In 2012, Russia knocked off the Americans, 7-4, in the title game in Windsor, Ontario.

The last U.S. win came when Team USA downed Russia, 7-4, on Dec. 31, 2009. Robbie Russo (Westmont, Ill.) scored two of the Americans' five power play goals, while J.T. Miller (East Palestine, Ohio) added one goal and two assists at the Jus Jordan Sports Complex in Iroquois Falls, Ontario. Tyler Biggs (Cincinnati, Ohio), Alexx Privatera (Old Tappan, N.J.) and Dan Carlson (Corcoran, Minn.) had the other Team USA goals. Matt McNeely (Burnsville, Minn.) made 24 saves in the win. The U.S. went on to claim the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge title.

• Noah Hanifin (Norwood, Mass.) wore the "C" as team captain in the pre-tournament game versus Canada's Team Quebec. Nicholas Boka (Plymouth, Mich.) and Luke Kunin (Chesterfield, Mo.) served as assistant captains.
• Team USA claimed third place in last year's tournament after back-to-back second place finishes (2011, 2012). The U.S. won the tournament in 2010 and has now placed in the top three for seven consecutive years (2006, 2008-13). No tournament was held in 2007.
• The U.S. enters the tournament having captured first place three times (2001-02, 2010) and second place four times (1999, 2008, 2011-12).
• All 22 players on the roster come from the U.S. National Under-17 Team that is part of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program based in Ann Arbor, Mich.
• The 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge includes two pools of five teams. Pool A consists of teams from the Czech Republic, Pacific, Quebec, Sweden and West. Pool B consists of teams from Atlantic, Germany, Ontario, Russia and the United States.
• Follow @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for live scoring updates during the tournament. Scores will be designated with #WU17.
• For additional coverage, visit the NTDP Facebook page and follow @USANTDP on Twitter.
• The U.S. National Under-17 Team trains with The Hockey IntelliGym, a revolutionary software program that trains hockey sense. To learn more, visit USAHockeyIntelliGym.com.

Atlantic 5 Czech Republic 2 (Pre-Tournament)
Centre 200, Sydney, N.S.

West 7 Germany 1 (Pre-Tournament)
Civic Centre, Port Hawkesbury, N.S.

Ontario 4 Sweden 1 (Pre-Tournament)
Dan K. Stevens Memorial Arena, Eskasoni, N.S.

Pacific 3 Russia 4 OT (Pre-Tournament)
Emera Centre Northside, North Sydney, N.S.