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USA Under 18s End Tourney With A Win
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HODONIN, Czech Republic – Two DU recruits that will arrive at DU in 2009 ended the 2007 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament having gained valuable international experience. Nate Dewhurst finished the tournament with three goals while Matt Donovan contributed from the blueline. Their U.S. Under-18 Select Team defeated the Czech Republic, 6-5, in the finale of the at Hodonin Arena. With the win, Team USA earned a fifth-place finish in the tournament.

“We were pleased with how the team really gelled together as this tournament went on,” said Roger Grill, head coach of Team USA. “We were disappointed with how we started, but the guys really pulled together and I am excited about the way we finished.”
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After neither team was able to break the deadlock in overtime, the game had to be decided by a shoot out. Hjelle stopped all three Czech shooters he faced, including a glove save on Stepan Novotny on the Czech Republic’s second attempt. After McRae and Nate Dewhurst (Johnston, Iowa) were unable to score, it came down to Murray with the final attempt before the shoot out would go to a sudden death format. Murray streaked in on Sedlacek and fired a wrist shot under the outstretched glove hand of the Czech netminder and into the net to give Team USA the 6-5 victory.