OHL grads win World Championship Bronze

STOCKHOLM – Alex Galchenyuk (Milwaukee, Wis./Sarnia Sting/Montreal Canadiens) and goaltender John Gibson (Pittsburgh, Pa./Kitchener Rangers/Anaheim Ducks) helped the U.S. Men’s National Team to a 3-2 shootout victory over Finland here today in the bronze-medal game of the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s World Championship.

In the shootout, Galchenyuk scored on back-to-back attempts, including the game-winner, while Gibson stopped three-of-four Finland shots. In 70 minutes of action, Gibson made 36 saves to help deliver Team USA’s first medal since 2004 (bronze) and only third medal in the world championship since 1963.

“I’m so proud of this young group,” said Joe Sacco, head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team, whose average age is 24.8. “We came together as a team and this group was able to achieve something only two other teams have done in the last 50 years for our country and that’s win a medal. It’s not easy. Tonight, we got off to a lead which was important, but Finland came back hard at us, particularly in the third. Then once you get into overtime and a shootout anything can happen. Gibson was outstanding again in goal and it was great to see Galchenyuk score a couple of times in the shootout. I thought we had terrific leadership on this team, and our captain, Paul Stastny, was such a key factor both on and off the ice. You win as a team and ultimately that’s why we were successful.”

With the win, Team USA earned their 17th IIHF World Championship medal and sixth Bronze.