The U.S. Under-18 Men's Select Team opened the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup with a lopsided 6-1 loss on Monday to Sweden in Breclav, Czech Republic.
Duluth East junior-to-be Ryder Donovan assisted on the lone goal for the Americans, creating a rebound that Philippe Lapointe was able to backhand in for a 1-0 lead late in the first period.
Sweden tied the game at 12:54 of the second period on the power play. Sweden finished with four goals on its 10 power plays, plus a shorthanded tally. The U.S. was 0-for-3 on the man advantage.
Up next for the U.S. is Switzerland at 9:30 a.m. today.
