The game opened with the U.S. in control — outshooting Canada by an 8-1 margin — but unable to convert as the score remained 0-0 through the first 15 minutes of play.

Team USA's first chance came just over three minutes into the game when a bouncing puck found its way to the left post where a pinching Ralph DeQuebec (San Pedro, Calif.) threw a shot off the side of goal. Moments later, a chance from the same spot by Kevin McKee (Chicago, Ill.) was denied by Canada's goaltender, Dominic Larocque.

Just over five minutes into the period, it seemed as though the U.S. went 1-0 when Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) knocked a loose puck in the crease over the goal line, but after video review, the call on the ice stood.

Three minutes later, Farmer again nearly opened the scoring, this time cutting down from the left faceoff dot for a shot towards the near post that was blockered away.

With 1:43 to play in the frame, U.S. netminder Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.) was called upon with a point-blank save from the game scoreless after 15 minutes of play.

An early powerplay in the middle stanza led to the U.S. continuing its control of play. Its best chance came in the first 30 seconds of the man-advantage when a chance by Jack Wallace (Green Brook, N.J.) from the slot wouldn't go in.

Canada made it 1-0 with 8:24 to play in the frame when Liam Hickey converted on a man-advantage. Cash was able to get a piece of his glove on the initial shot before it fluttered over his outstretched body and into the net.

Just 90 seconds later, captain Josh Pauls (Green Brook, N.J.) evened the score, 1-1. The play started with Chris Douglas (St. Cloud, Fla.) making a difficult stop at the blue line to keep the puck in the offensive zone. Pauls picked up the loose puck, curled along the left faceoff dot and cut towards the crease before lifting a hard right-handed shot into the top-right corner.