U.S. Edges Slovakia in Overtime, 7-6, to Maintain Perfect Record
CHOMUTOV, Czechia – Benjamin Slavick (Westland, Mich.) tallied three assists as the U.S. Under-17 Men’s Select Team netted four power-play goals in a 7-6 overtime triumph over Slovakia at the 2026 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament today at Rocknet Arena.
The U.S. improves to 1-2-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) and is set to compete in the Under-17 Four Nations Tournament championship match tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. local time (10:30 a.m. ET). Team USA’s opponent will be determined by today’s game between Czechia and Switzerland.
“We have been focusing on developing as a team and minimizing our errors, but we have managed to secure a victory,” stated Guy Gosselin (Grafton, Wis.), head coach of the U.S. Under-17 Men’s Select Team. “That’s what strong teams accomplish. The crucial factor for tomorrow’s championship match, regardless of whether we face Switzerland or Czechia, is to compete, avoid penalties, and limit opportunities.”
Austin Hall (Livonia, Mich.) initiated the scoring just 56 seconds into the game, redirecting a shot from Gavin Godbout (Woodbury, Minn.) to give the U.S. an early lead.
Team USA extended its advantage at 8:04 of the first period on the power play, as Aiden Kelly (Rochester, Mich.) scored with a wrist shot from the bottom of the right circle that deflected off a defender into the net.
GAME PHOTOS
Slovakia narrowed the U.S. lead to one with 1:28 left in the first period, as Jakub Milanič scored with a wrist shot from the right faceoff circle.
Maxim René Školiak leveled the score for Slovakia 1:49 into the second period, beating U.S. goaltender Chase Pastor (Burlington Township, N.J.) on a breakaway.
Parker Colmer (Olathe, Kan.) netted Team USA’s second power-play goal of the game at 3:55, capitalizing on a rebound opportunity following a shot from Parker Deraney (Detroit Lakes, Minn.) to regain the lead.
Alex Jankulár responded for Slovakia at 4:47, tapping in a cross-crease pass from Školiak to tie the game at 3-3.
Eli Bimmerle (Bartonville, Texas) scored a shorthanded goal at 13:42, taking advantage of a breakaway opportunity created by an outlet pass from Slavick to give the U.S. a 4-3 lead.
The U.S. added its third power-play goal of the match at 15:38, extending the lead to 5-3, as Levi Ellingsen (Pasco, Wash.) scored with a top-shelf wrist shot from the right faceoff circle.
Lukáš Lipovský found the net for Slovakia with 1:02 remaining in the second period, scoring after a pass from Patrik Šušoliak to reduce the U.S. lead to 5-4.
Slovakia equalized 3:17 into the third period, as Lipovský poked in the puck that had deflected off the post.
Soren Saumweber (Roseville, Minn.) restored the U.S. lead at 16:34, firing a shot from the top of the right faceoff circle that hit the post and went in.
Školiak tied the game with 51 seconds left in regulation on a shot from the top of the slot, sending the match into overtime.
Henry Meier (Woodbury, Minn.) scored the decisive goal on the power play 1:26 into the overtime period, finding the net with a shot from the right faceoff circle after receiving a pass from Colmer.
NOTES: Benjamin Slavick was named U.S. Player of the Game … Team USA outshot Slovakia, 40-29 … The U.S. scored four goals on the power play and one while shorthanded.
2026 U17 Four Nations 
Team USA Roster
