Alba di Canazei, Italy - Chris Joseph (Levittown, N.Y./Stony Brook University) tallied a first-period goal and Bobby Bodette (Garden, Mich./Adrian College) added a late empty-netter to help the U.S. Men's National University Team defeat Sweden, 2-0, in the opening game of the 2013 Winter World University Games here today.

"I'm extremely excited to have a great first win against a very good Swedish team," said Scott Balboni, head coach of the U.S. Men's National University Team. "We're looking forward to enjoying the success over the next few days. Right now we're playing great as a team, which is what we're excited about, but we also know we have a long way to go to reach our ultimate goal."

Joseph scored 16:57 into the opening frame to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead. Nick Taurence (Trenton, Mich./Eastern Michigan University) took as pass from Duncan Green (Athens, Ohio/Ohio University) and skated the puck up the right side before dishing it to Joseph just inside the blue line. Joseph settled the puck, moved to the top of the left circle and beat Team Sweden goaltender Kent Helin between the glove and left leg.

The score stayed 1-0 after two periods despite Team USA out-shooting the Swedes, 16-10, in the middle stanza and 38-17 through 40 minutes.

The Americans continued to pressure in the third period, out-shooting Sweden, 9-2, and finally were able to add an insurance marker with just 11 seconds remaining in the contest. After killing off a Team Sweden power play in the final three minutes of regulation, Bachman grabbed a puck along the far wall and flipped it into the open net to seal the U.S. victory. Ryan Cotcamp (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./Stony Brook University) and Billy Balent (Waterford, Mich./Oakland University) were credited with assists on the play.

Matt Cooper (Duluth, Minn./Iowa State University) started for the U.S. and was forced to make several quality stops on his way to a 19-save shutout.

The U.S. Men's National University Team will resume play in the preliminary round of the 2013 Winter World University Games Friday (Dec. 13) when it takes on Latvia. Opening face-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET.