skip navigation

Tournament Feature - Stage Set for Renewal of Rivalry with Russia

By Brian Smith, 12/28/13, 10:30PM EST

Share

CAPE BRETON, Nova Scotia - While tonight’s match-up between the U.S. National Under-17 Team and Canada's Team Quebec at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge was technically a pre-tournament contest, Team USA knew the game would have a significant impact when the preliminary round begins tomorrow evening. If it serves as any sign of what is to come for the U.S., however, the future looks bright.

In the 6-2 victory over Quebec tonight, the line of Jeremy Bracco (Freeport, N.Y.), Luke Kirwan (Dewitt, N.Y.) and Colin White (Hanover, Mass.) registered four goals and five assists for a total of nine points. Signature of the squad all season, chemistry played an important role in such efficient productivity.

“Bracco and Kirwan were really moving the puck well today,” White said. “The defense was breaking out quickly and guys were going strong to the net. It just worked. Everyone was clicking.”

Despite the prolific scoring of the White-Bracco-Kirwan line tonight, they were quick to credit all of their teammates for contributing to the team’s success as a whole.

“We put a lot of points on the score sheet tonight, but games like this are really a team effort,” said Bracco, who notched an empty-net goal and also registered two assists against Quebec. “Knowing we have such solid defensemen and goaltending, as well as talented forwards, lets us relax and let the opportunities come to us.”

White echoed Bracco’s statement, noting how having dependable goaltending in Michael Lackey (Washington, D.C.) and Luke Opilka (St. Louis, Mo.) contributes to the teams confidence in trying times.

“Yeah it’s huge. They’re a big part of when we’re successful,” White said, who chipped in with two goals and an assist tonight. “Since they’re always on their game in net, it lets us relax a little up front and play to our strengths, especially after such a long down time.”

After an extended layoff between game action, the U.S. coaching staff acknowledged the game necessarily served as a much-needed rust buster for Team USA. But there will be little time to relish the win, when the younger National Team Development Program squad hits the ice again Sunday night.

“This exhibition was used as a tune-up game after having a 15-day break from competition,” said Don Granato, head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team. “We need to turn up the intensity tomorrow when we face a difficult and talented Russian squad.”

Team USA previously clashed with Russia at the 2013 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament held in Slovakia this past November. During that last meeting, the two squads battled for the full 60 minutes, with the U.S. emerging victorious, 5-3.

“We’re really excited to play Russia,” said Brendan Warren (Carleton, Mich.). “We know they’re going to come out hard since we beat them in Slovakia earlier this year. We just need to play together and remain confident in our ability to succeed.”

The confidence and conditioning will be put to the test tomorrow night when the puck drops between the two strong programs. One thing is for certain though – there will be no shortage of excitement and energy coming out of the U.S. locker room.

“Last time we played them, we were all just so amped up and ready to play,” said Kirwan. “I just can’t wait to feel that again.”

Past Features