EDMONTON, Alberta – Ethan Sung (Pasadena, Calif.) netted two goals to propel the U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team to a 4-1 triumph over Finland in their second match at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup today at Downtown Community Arena.
With this win, Team USA improved to 2-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) after their initial two preliminary-round contests at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, placing them at the top of Group B with six points.
“Our team delivered a strong performance that resulted in a positive outcome,” stated Reid Cashman (Red Wing, Minn.), head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team. “Our group was able to maintain a high level of competition for the entire 60 minutes. Mason Courville was outstanding in goal, as were the players in front of him. We anticipate the next challenge tomorrow against Germany.”
Sung initiated the scoring at 7:34 of the first period during Team USA’s first power play of the game, finding the net following assists from Jake Prunty (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) and Michael Tang (New York, N.Y.).
U.S. goaltender Mason Courville (Palmyra, Pa.) was solid in the first 20 minutes, stopping 12 shots from Finland to keep his team in the lead, 1-0, as they entered the second period.
GAME PHOTOS
GAME STATS
Finland equalized the game at 13:56 of the second period, with Niklas Borgstrom scoring on the power play.
Sung responded at 6:52 of the third period, regaining the lead for Team USA with a powerful one-timer from outside the slot after receiving a centering pass from Gerry DiCunzolo (Buffalo, N.Y.).
The U.S. extended their lead to 3-1 at 8:12, as Joey Cullen (Moorhead, Minn.) scored. An empty-net goal from Becker Wenkus (Edina, Minn.) confirmed the 4-1 victory for Team USA at 18:21.
Courville concluded the match with 26 saves in the victory.
The U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team will finish the preliminary round at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup tomorrow (Aug. 5) against Germany at 7 p.m. local (9 p.m. ET) at Downtown Community Arena in Edmonton.
NOTES: Ethan Sung was named U.S. Player of the Game … Team USA outshot Finland, 28-27 … The U.S. converted 1-2 on the power play, while Finland was 1-1.
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