BUFFALO, N.Y. – With several NHL scouts in attendance, top prospect Phil Kessel proved his worth to the USA Hockey program, scoring a goal and adding two assists, as the US NTDP Under-18 Team defeated Canisius College 4-2 in front of 1,600 fans Saturday night at the Buffalo State Sports Arena. Kessel finished the weekend with two goals and six assists, giving his notice as a potential #1 overall draft pick to those in attendance.

Canisius jumped to an early 1-0 lead at the 18:41 mark of the first period on an unassisted goal by David Ovcjak. Ovcjak’s shot from the right point beat Team USA netminder Billy Blasé for the Griffs’ first lead over the visitors. The lead would not last long however, as Team USA scored with 25 seconds remaining in the period on a power-play marker by Kessel, Team USA’s leading scorer. Kessel snapped a shot from the slot past Canisius sophomore goalie Max Buetow to knot the game at a goal apiece after 20 minutes of action.

For the second straight night, Team USA used an offensively potent second period to put away the Blue and Gold. Boston University-bound Jason Lawrence gave Team USA a 2-1 lead just 21 seconds into the period and Jack Skille, a University of Wisconsin recruit, extended the lead to 3-1 with a power-play tally at the 4:23 mark. Both goals coming through traffic from the slot in front of Buetow.

The Griffs cut the deficit to 3-2 just 51 seconds into the final period on a power-play goal by sophomore Michael Cohen. Cohen took a pass from Bret Norris and beat Blasé from the left face-off circle on a 5-on-3 opportunity. Team USA restored the two-goal cushion at the 15:14 mark of the third period on their third power-play goal of the game, this time off the stick of University of Minnesota recruit Peter Mueller.

Jack Johnson, heading to the University of Michigan next fall, finished the game with three assists for Team USA. Blasé posted 21 saves in the victory, while Buetow recorded 28 saves in the loss for the Griffs.

Canisius returns to action next weekend, Jan. 28-29, on the road at Atlantic Hockey foe Holy Cross, who lead the Griffs by one point in the standings. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday.