Tuesday evening update: With the help of their Michigan contingent, Team USA’s U-17 team will be playing for gold on Wednesday.
Macomb native Michael McCarron scored the tying goal for the US squad with 3:10 remaining in regulation, and Evan Allen of Sterling Heights scored in the shoot-out to help lead them to a 2-1 win over Sweden.
“It is a great feeling to be playing tomorrow in the title game,” said Don Granato, head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team, in a released statement. “We have to rest up and be ready for an exceptional team tomorrow in the finale.”
The US will take on Russia, who topped Team Ontario 4-3 in overtime to advance to the championship game.
Tuesday morning preview: All is not lost for USA Hockey this international competition season.
While the World Juniors squad will not be able to compete for a medal, their younger companions are. The U.S. National Under-17 Team – based out of Ann Arbor – is in the semifinals of the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Windsor, Ont. Team USA plays Sweden today at 2:00 p.m. ET at the WFCU Centre.
The Under-17 tournament has featured some of the best talent hockey has ever seen in prior seasons, with the likes of Joe Sakic, Brendan Shanahan, Alex Ovechkin, the Sedin twins, Sergei Fedorov, Jarome Iginla, Phil Kessel, Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler and Eric Staal. It’s the biggest tournament for this age group.
See more about the tournament here.
Six Michigan natives are representing Team USA in the tournament. They are:
- Tyler Motte (St. Clair)
- Michael McCarron (Macomb)
- Dawson Cook (Cadillac)
- Evan Allen (Sterling Heights)
- Trevor Hamilton (Grosse Pte. Farms)
- Michael Downing (Canton)
We’ll keep you updated on how Team USA does throughout the day.