Volos, Greece - August 23 - The USA Men's Cadet National Team got in the win column at the FINA U16 World Championship, defeating Kazakhstan 12-8 earlier today. Boden Brinkema scored four goals to lead the offense while
Connor Kim added three of his own in the victory. Team USA returns to play tomorrow against Hungary at 9:45am et/6:45am pt. Live streaming is available via FINA by
clicking here. Live stats are available by
clicking here.
Kazakhstan jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with 3:45 to play in the first quarter before Team USA finished the quarter with three straight goals from Brinkema,
Connor Ohl, and Kim to hold a 3-2 lead after one. The United States used the second period to put some distance between themselves and Kazakhstan. The Americans scored four times thanks to Kim, Brinkema,
Adam Blum, and
Cole Francisco as Kazakhstan managed one goal to make the score 7-3 in favor of Team USA at intermission.
Kazakhstan scored three times in the third by taking advantage of a penalty shot and two player advantages. Team USA got a pair of goals from Kim and
Nathaniel Banos in the quarter and the score was 9-6 for the Americans going to the final frame. The fourth quarter saw Brinkema (2) and
Ben Forer put the game out of reach for Kazakhstan, who found the back of the net twice in the period, as the United States secured the 12-8 win.
Team USA scored four times on power plays and went 1/1 on penalties while Kazakhstan scored five times on power plays and went 1/1 on penalties.
Scoring -
Stats
USA 12 (3, 4, 2, 3) B. Brinkema 4, C. Kim 3, N. Banos 1, A. Blum 1, B. Forer 1, C. Francisco 1, C. Ohl 1
KAZ 8 (2, 1, 3, 2) G. Sazonov 4, T. Gribov 2, V. Yurtayev 1, I. Karyukin 1
6x5 - USA 4 - KAZ 5
Penalties - USA - 1/1 - KAZ - 1/1
