Rink and Run blog: USA Wins U18 World Title

The United States won the World Under 18 Championships on Friday be defeating Sweden 3-1. Minnesota Duluth recruit Justin Faulk, a defenseman from South St. Paul, had a goal. Defenseman Derek Forbort of Duluth had an assist. Here's a release from USA Hockey:

MINSK, Belarus – Jack Campbell (Port Huron, Mich.) made 33 saves as the United States captured a second straight gold medal at the 2010 International Ice Hockey Federation World Men's Under-18 Championship after defeating Sweden 3-1 Friday at Minsk Arena. Team USA finished 6-0-0-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L) while outscoring its opponents 33-7.

"This has been one of the neatest experiences I've had as a coach and one of the better groups I've ever had the chance to work with," said Kurt Kleinendorst, head coach of Team USA. "I had heard so many things about [USA Hockey's National Team Development Program] prior, with regard to how special it was and how good this group was to work with. I think winning the gold medal is just the perfect ending to a great season."

The U.S. got the start it wanted when Luke Moffatt (Paradise Valley, Ariz.) deflected Derek Forbort's (Duluth, Minn.) shot past netminder Johan Gustafsson just 2:10 into the game. Campbell stopped all nine first-period shots he faced, many of which came on a five-minute power play for Sweden.

Team USA kept the pressure on when Nick Shore (Denver, Colo.) dug the puck out of the corner and fed Austin Czarnik (Washington, Mich.), who then slid the puck to a charging Justin Faulk (South St. Paull, who flipped it over Gustafsson at the 7:31 mark of the middle frame. Rocco Grimaldi (Rossmoor, Calif.) made it 3-0 when he redirected Adam Clendening's (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) wrist shot just inside the left post at 13:47 of the second period.

Despite a goal from Ludvig Rensfeldt at 6:54 of the third period, Team USA held off the relentless Swedish attack. Campbell stopped eight shots in the final frame to shut the door.

Jack Campbell received the directorate award as the tournament's best goaltender and was also named Team USA's Player of the Game.

Tags: daily updates, usa hockey, umd hockey, justin faulk, derek forborth, world u18 championships, sports