Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament: USA Hockey wins exhibition contest over Czech Republic

In the team's lone exhibition contest prior to the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, the United States defeated the Czech Republic, 1-0. Dominic Turgeon of the Portland Winterhawks scored the only goal of the game with 3:43 to play in the first period.

Alex Nedeljkovic and Blake Weyrick combined to make 27 saves in the victory for the red, white and blue. Nedeljkovic, a Parma, Ohio native plays for the Plymouth Whalers in the OHL while Weyrick is an uncommitted prospect, reportedly interested in a few Hockey East schools and Harvard.

North Dakota recruit and Verona, Wis. native Nick Schmaltz was named the United States Player of the Game. Schmaltz is a forward for the Green Bay Gamblers in the United States Hockey League (USHL). The United States penalty kill was tremendous, keeping the Czech Republic scoreless on their eight chances on the man advantage.

The United States will open up Ivan Hlinka action for real Monday when the US faces Finland at 8 a.m. on the East Coast.

Jeff Cox is a hockey reporter for SBNation. Follow Jeff on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.