PROVIDENCE COLLEGE TOPS US UNDER-18 TEAM IN EXHIBITION, 5-4
Five different players score goals for Friars

Senior forward Matt Germain had two assists for the Friars

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Providence College men's hockey team used five different goal scorers to defeat the U.S. National Under-18 Team, 5-4, Sunday night in an exhibition game played at Schneider Arena. Junior Matt Bergland's goal halfway through the second period proved to be the game winner.

In a back-and-forth first period, Team USA jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a power-play goal by Rocco Grimaldi at 4:13. Just 10 seconds later, sophomore Myles Harvey (Orlando, Fla.) evened the score on a shot from the just inside the blue line. Reid Boucher then helped Team USA regain the lead (2-1) on a shot from in close at 10:36. The Friars responded with two goals in the latter stages of the period to take the lead for good. At 17:44, senior Ian O'Connor (Londonderry, N.H.) tied the game at 2-2, while classmate Ben Farrer (Calgary, Alberta) added a power-play goal with two seconds remaining in the period.

The Friar lead grew to 5-2 in the second period on goals by sophomore Tim Schaller (Merrimack, N.H.) and Bergland. Team USA cut the lead to 5-3 late in the period as Robbie Russo scored from the high slot. Team USA then trimmed the margin to 5-4 halfway through the third period when Tyler Biggs potted the third power-play goal of the night for the U.S. Team USA pulled goalie John Gibson for an extra skater with 56 seconds remaining but could not score the equalizer.

Senior Matt Germain (Rockland, Mass.) recorded two assists for PC, while Grimaldi had one goal and two assists for Team USA.

Team USA finished with a 43-32 shot advantage. PC junior goalies Alex Beaudry (Cumberland, Ontario) and Justin Gates (Cranston, R.I.) combined for 39 saves. Matt McNeely and John Gibson combined for 27 stops.

The Friars are back in action on Friday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m. when they host UNH at Schneider Arena. Team USA will play Cedar Rapids of the USHL on January 28.