Saturday, January 5, 2013
Good as Gold!
U.S. captures World Junior Championship with 3-1 win against Sweden.
Thirteen U.S. college players will return to campus with gold medals thanks to the U.S. National Junior Team’s 3-1 victory against Sweden Saturday, giving the United States its third title at the IIHF World Junior Championship.
North Dakota’s Rocco Grimaldi scored his first two goals of the tournament in the gold medal game, erasing a 1-0 Sweden lead. The U.S. has now won the eventin 2004, 2010 and 2013.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our players and staff,” said head coach Phil Housley. “And I’m also really happy for hockey fans in our country. This was a total team effort throughout the tournament. It was a very difficult challenge tonight against an excellent Swedish team. We had a terrific experience here and I’d like to thank the Russian Hockey Federation for being an excellent host.”
Twelve colleges were represented among the 13 current and one former NCAA players on the roster, with only Miami sending multiple players (Riley Barber, Sean Kuraly and former player Tyler Biggs). In addition, Ohio State head coach Mark Osiecki, Minnesota assistant coach Grant Potulny and Denver assistant coach David Lassonde were assistants on Houseley’s staff.
Michigan defenseman Jacob Trouba was named the top defenseman in the tournament and he, Boston College forward Johnny Gaudreau and Wisconsin defenseman and U.S. captain Jake McCabe were named to the all-tournament team by the media. Gaudreau and Trouba joined goaltender John Gibson as the top three U.S. players as named by USA Hockey.
Gaudreau led the tournament with seven goals, all coming in games in which the U.S. faced elimination. His nine points led the team and ranked fifth in the tournament. Trouba (first) and McCabe (third) were among the top three defensemen in scoring at the event.
NCAA Players on Team USA
| Jon Gillies | Providence |
| Shayne Gostisbehere | Union |
| Jake McCabe | Wisconsin |
| Mike Reilly | Minnesota |
| Jacob Trouba | Michigan |
| Cole Bardreau | Cornell |
| Riley Barber | Miami |
| Tyler Biggs | Miami* |
| Johnny Gaudreau | Boston College |
| Rocco Grimaldi | North Dakota |
| Sean Kuraly | Miami |
| Mario Lucia | Notre Dame |
| Blake Pietila | Michigan Tech |
| Jimmy Vesey | Harvard |
| *former player |