KEARNEY, NE. – The Tri-City Storm defeated the Under-17's of the United States National Team Development Program by a final score of 4-1 Friday night at the Viaero Center. Jake Rozzi, Trevor Connelly, Philippe Blais-Savoie, and Vladislav Lukashevich each netted a goal during Friday's victory for the Storm. The Storm will host Team USA Saturday night at the Viaero Center in a rematch of tonight's game. Puck drop is set for 6:05pm CT.
 
The opening goal of Friday's contest was netted by the Storm's Jake Rozzi on the powerplay to put Tri-City ahead by one. Rozzi's scoring play was his sixth of the season and was recorded at 10:43 of the 1^st period. Trevor Connelly and Alexander Bales each notched an assist on the scoring play. Team USA answered with a powerplay goal from Charlie Trethewey at 17:22 of the period. The goal was his third of the season, and was assisted by Donny Bracco. Each team recorded eleven shots on net during the opening period, and Friday's 2^nd period began in a 1-1 tie.
 
The Storm netted the only two goals of Friday's middle period to take a 3-1 advantage into the 3^rd period. The go-ahead goal was netted by Trevor Connelly on the powerplay sixty-one seconds into the period. Connelly's goal was his tenth of the year, and was assisted by Cameron Korpi. Philippe Blais-Savoie scored an even-strength goal at 7:55 of the 2^nd period to give Tri-City a 3-1 lead in the matchup. Blais-Savoie's goal was his third of the season, and was assisted by Artemi Nizameyev and Trevor Connelly. The Storm outshot Team USA by a 10-4 margin during Friday's 2^nd period, and Tri-City carried a two-goal advantage into the 3^rd period.
 
The lone goal of the 3^rd period was netted even strength by Vladislav Lukashevich. The goal was scored at 8:51 of the period, and was his fifth goal of the season. Artemi Nizameyev and A.J. Lacroix each notched an assist on the scoring play. Tri-City outshot Team USA 7-6 in the 3^rd period, and 28-21 overall in the matchup. The Storm won the contest by a final score of 4-1, and improved to 14-11-1-2 on the 2023-2024 regular season campaign.
 
Cameron Korpi recorded the win in net for the Storm by making 20 saves on 21 shots during the contest. Patrick Quinlan dropped the game in goal for Team USA after stopping 18 of the Storm's 21 shots on goal during the first two periods of Friday's game. Harrison Boettiger made 6 saves on 7 shots during the 3^rd period.
 
The Storm hits the ice again on Saturday, January 6^th, in a home game against the Under-17's Team from the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP/Team USA). Puck drop is scheduled for 6:05pm CT. Skate to www.StormHockey.com for individual game tickets and more information regarding the Tri-City Storm organization. The Tri-City Storm is presented by Viaero Wireless.