Team USA answered on the power play, moving the puck quickly before Nolan Fitzhenry (Andover, Mass.) found Braden Horton alone in the slot. With the goaltender out of position, Horton buried the chance to cut the deficit in half.
The Stampede restored their two-goal lead with two minutes left in the first, taking a 3–1 advantage into the intermission.
Defense and goaltending took over in a scoreless second period, highlighted by the U17s shutting down all six Sioux Falls power-play opportunities.
Sioux Falls extended its lead early in the third to go up 4–1. Finnegan Sears pulled Team USA back within two with seven minutes remaining, ripping a shot into the net, but the comeback was halted by a Stampede empty-net goal to seal a 5–2 final.
The U17s are back at USA Hockey Arena next Saturday, Dec. 6th as they host the Lincoln Stars. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET and tickets are available at USAHockeyNTDP.com/tix or by calling the box office at 734-453-8400.