LAPPEENRANTA, Finland - Jack Dougherty (Cottage Grove, Minn.) and Kyle Connor (Shelby Township, Mich.) each scored one goal, but the U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team was edged by Switzerland, 4-2, here today at Lappeenranta Arena. The game served as the first test for Team USA at the 2014 International Ice Hockey Federation Men's Under-18 World Championship.

Dougherty gave the U.S. an early lead at 5:13 of the opening frame with a power-play tally. Sonny Milano (Massapequa, N.Y.) glided through the slot and left a drop pass for Dougherty. The defenseman took a step and launched a slapshot that found the back of the net. Brandon Fortunato (North Hills, N.Y.) also assisted on the play. Switzerland answered at 11:55 with a goal that spent a lengthy time under review. Team USA regained the lead with under five minutes to play in the period when Connor controlled a rebound and wristed a shot past Swiss goaltender Gauthier Descloux. Noah Hanifin (Norwood, Mass.) collected the lone helper.

After a scoreless second stanza, Switzerland knotted the game 46 seconds into the third period. With 3:30 remaining in the contest, the Swiss batted a rebound past Alex Nedeljkovic (Parma, Ohio) to take the lead. Switzerland capped the comeback with an empty net goal 11 seconds before the final buzzer.

Nedeljkovic turned aside 16 shots in the loss for the U.S., while Descloux made 31 saves for Switzerland.

Team USA will return to action against the Czech Republic on Saturday (April 19). Game time is set for 8 a.m. EDT at Lappeenranta Arena. All U.S. tournament games will be streamed live on FASTHockey free of charge.

NOTES

  • Team USA outshot Switzerland, 33-20.
  • Kyle Connor was named Team USA's best player, while Gauthier Descloux was named best player for Switzerland.
  • The next opponent for the U.S. is the Czech Republic, who is idle today and will face Denmark on Friday, April 18, in Lappeenranta.
  • The U.S. enters the tournament having captured a record 10-consecutive medals, including back-to-back golds in 2005-06 and four-straight gold medals from 2009-12; three silver medals (2004, 2007, 2013); and one bronze medal (2008).
  • Team USA's seven gold medals are the most of any country in IIHF Men's Under-18 World Championship history. The event began in 1999. Team USA earned its first gold medal in 2002.
  • The U.S. will play in Group B alongside the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland and Switzerland. Group A consists of Canada, Germany, Russia, Slovakia and Sweden.
  • Follow @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for live scoring updates during the tournament. Scores will be designated with the #U18Worlds tag.
  • For additional coverage, visit the NTDP Facebook page and follow @USANTDP on Twitter.