Team USA scored twice in the first five minutes of the second period but could not hold on, as Slovakia tied the game in the period and went on to score the game winner with less than five minutes left in the final period for a 3-2 victory at the Five Nations U17 tourney in Huttwil, Switzerland Friday.
Kyle Osterberg scored just 53 seconds into the second period to give the USA a 1-0 lead. Troy Donnay and Brian Morgan received helpers on the play.
Just under four minutes later, Jordan Masters scored on an assist from Justin Wade to give the USA a two-goal lead with 15:25 left in the period.
That would turn out to be plenty of time for the Slovaks to get back to business.
Marko Dano scored at 15:19 and then Daniel Rzavsky tied the game at 18:51 and the two teams would enter the locker rooms tied after two periods at two goals.
Dano scored the game-winner at 15:48, but the Americans weren't done yet.
Teddy Doherty got out of the penalty box with 54 seconds left and then USA goalie Brandon Hope was finally able to come off for a extra attacker with 23 seconds left. A Slovakia penalty with two seconds left gave USA a very brief 6-on-4, but were unable to score as chaos broke out as the final buzzer sounded.
Seventy-five minutes in penalties were handed out after the game, including two game misconducts and one match penalty.
USA out-shot the Slovaks by a whopping 64-21 in the game, but Slovakia goalie Richard Sabol stood on his head while making an incredible 62 saves. Hope saved 18 pucks for Team USA.
Slovakia was assessed with 70 penalty minutes, while USA earned 39 minutes.
Team USA (1-1-0) will face Switzerland Saturday afternoon at 12:30pm CST in game three of the tournament.
