South Portland native John Gillies stopped 20 of 21 shots as he played in the first half of USA’s 5-3 victory over the Czech Republic in exhibition action Saturday afternoon.

The lone goal given up by the Northeastern recruit and current member of the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League came at the 6:39 mark of the first period. Calvin Petersen relieved Gillies midway through the second period and stopped 14 of 16 shots.

Offensively USA got goals from Alex Galchenyuk (Sarnia Sting, OHL), Cristoval Nieves (South Kent School, CT), Joseph Cox (Compuware Midgets, MI), Sam Kurker (St. John’s Prep, MA), and Ryan Lowney (Compuware Midgets, MI).

USA opens up the Ivan Hlinka Under-18 Tournament Monday against Finland 8 a.m. eastern time.