US dethrone Sweden as kings of junior hockey

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Published time: January 05, 2013 18:16
Edited time: January 05, 2013 22:16

Team USA are the new junior hockey world champions after defeating last year’s winners Sweden 3-1 in the final in the capital of Russia’s Republic of Bashkortostan, Ufa.

­Filip Sandberg gave Sweden the lead on powerplay just over a minute after the start of the second period.

But the Americans replied with two goals by Rocco Grimaldi, which saw them go 2-1 up on the 37th second of the final period.

All Swedish attempts to equalize were in vain, with the US goalkeeper, John Gibson, standing firm in front of the net.

Vince Trocheck sealed the deal for the Americans, scoring into an empty goal in the game’s last minute, 3-1.

"I was just happy [my goals] went in," match hero Grimaldi told the tournament's official website. "Basically, I just threw it on the net [first one] and the second one just hit me in the chest and went in. That's fine."

"I’m very, very proud of our team. We got better each and every game. Even in the losses I think we played very well," Phil Housley, US coach, added.

It’s the third time the American Under 20 hockey side has won the world title as they also triumphed in 2004 and 2010.

Meanwhile, the bronze medal went to hosts Russia, who topped Canada in a 6-5 thriller earlier in the day.

Sweden's Mikael Vikstrand, left, pictured as he plays in the Ice Hockey U20 World Championship final between Sweden and the USA. (RIA Novosti/Alexey Kudenko)

Sean Kuraly of the USA, left, and Sweden's goaltender Niklas Lundstrom pictured as they play in the Ice Hockey U20 World Championship final between Sweden and the USA. (RIA Novosti/Alexey Kudenko)

Shayne Gostisbehere of the USA, front, and Sweden's Sebastian Collebrg pictured as they play in the Ice Hockey U20 World Championship final between Sweden and the USA. (RIA Novosti/Alexey Kudenko)