Kane Barch (Plano, Texas) doubled the lead on a sharp passing sequence. Braiden Scuderi (Haddon Heights, N.J.) hit a cutting Rocco Pelosi (Sewell, N.J.) in the slot, and Pelosi tapped the puck to Barch, who had ample time to freeze the goalie and bury his second goal of the tournament.
While the offense rolled, Nate Chizik (Warrington, Pa.) delivered several key saves, including a breakaway stop late in the opening frame.
Finnegan Sears (Medford, Mass.) extended the lead early in the second, pouncing on a loose puck in front after a net-front scramble to make it 3–0.
Braden Horton (Souderton, Pa.) pushed the advantage to four shortly after. Sears chipped a puck ahead to Horton, who powered past a defender and tucked it home.
Team USA wasn’t finished in the period. Cannon Thibodeau (Charleston, S.C.) carried the puck end to end, driving wide on a Swiss defender before finding Alexander Milojevic (Chicago, Ill.) alone in front. Milojevic slipped a shot five-hole on Luca Blaser to give the U.S. a 5–0 lead heading into the third period.
Milojevic returned the favor 4:14 into the third period, setting up Thibodeau for Team USA’s sixth goal of the game.
The strong outing continued as Thibodeau set up Sam Pandolfo (Winchester, Mass.) for a tap-in that pushed the lead to 7–0.
Switzerland managed to break the shutout late and add two goals to make the final score, 7-2.
Chizik started in net and made 21 stops.
The U17s play in the semifinals of the Vierumaki Cup Saturday morning. Coverage will be live on Leijonat TV.