ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A tying third period tally wasn’t enough for the Tri-City Storm (5-11-2) as Team USA (14-6-0) got the final goal from Jeremy Bracco and won 3-2 at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube on Sundayafternoon.

The Storm got goals from forwards Joel L’Esperance and Chris Wilkie and goaltender Jacob Johansson made 31 saves in the loss.

Tri-City opened up a 1-0 lead on an outstanding passing play executed by Wilkie, who got the puck to L’Esperance in front with an open net. The Brighton, Mich. native didn’t miss and picked up his third goal in his last two games. Forward Garrett Gamez got the second assist on the play, recording his first point of the season.

After 20 minutes the Storm led 1-0, despite being outshot 17-7 by Team USA.

In the second period the Under-17 Team came back and beat Johansson twice to take a 2-1 lead. Forwards Michael Floodstrand and Jordan Greenway each found the back of the net in under two minutes and Team USA had taken control of the game.

The Storm tied the game at the 7:15 mark of the final frame when Wilkie found a rebound in front and put it past USA goaltender Luke Opilka to make it 2-2. Assists on the goal were credited to both Gamez and Christian Horn.

In a back-and-forth third period with both teams generating chances, Team USA got the final score of the game from Bracco with 6:57 remaining on the clock.

Tri-City fought hard and had opportunities in the final minutes, but fell short.

The Storm will return home on Nov. 29-30 for a weekend series with the Omaha Lancers at the Viaero Event Center. Friday’s game gets underway at 7:30 p.m., while Saturday’s contest starts at 7:05.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Joey DiBenedetto and Dan Labosky, along with defensemen Sean Lang.…

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Period
Tri-City – Joel L’Esperance (Chris Wilkie, Garrett Gamez) 8:05

2nd Period

Team USA – Luke Kunin (Luke Kirwan) 12:14

Team USA – Jordan Greenway (Jeremy Bracco) 13:36

3rd Period

Tri-City – Chris Wilkie (Garrett Gamez, Christian Horn) 7:15

Team USA – Jeremy Bracco (Colin White, Jordan Greenway) 13:03

PENALTIES

1st Period

Tri-City – Steven Haydon – (Elbowing), 2 min, 4:29

Tri-City – Cutler Martin – (Boarding), 2 min, 10:58

Team USA – Nick Boka – (Roughing), 2 min, 14:52

Tri-City – Joel L’Esperance – (Slashing), 2 min, 14:52

2nd Period
Team USA – Colin White – (Hooking), 2 min, 4:08

Tri-City – Thomas Aldworth – (Hooking), 2 min, 19:00

3rd Period

Team USA – Noah Hanifin – (Holding), 2 min, 0:51

Tri-City – Tory Dello – (Holding), 2 min, 8:01

Team USA – Nick Boka – (High Sticking), 2 min, 19:11

Power Play

Tri-City – 0/3

Team USA – 0/4

Shots

Tri-City: 7, 5, 13 = Total: 25

Team USA: 17, 13, 4 = Total: 34

Saves

Tri-City – Jacob Johansson – 31/34

Team USA – Luke Opilka – 23/25