The United States defeated Finland in the third place bout at the IIHF World Championships.
Both squads lost 3-0 in the semifinals. The Americans were shut down by Switzerland while Sweden's NHL stars destroyed Finland by the same score.
The United States dominated the momentum in the first period thanks to a goal 58 seconds into the game from Craig Smith; David Moss and Paul Stastny provided the assists. Exactly 15 minutes later, Stastny gave the Americans a 2-0 lead with assists from Jacoub Trouba and Smith.
The second period saw neither team light the lamp. However, the third period unequivocally saw the momentum turn toward the Finnish. At the 8:56 mark, Lauri Korpikoski drew Finland within one; Ossi Vaanenen and Mikael Granlund provided assists on the tally. Korpikoski would tie the game less than four minutes later.
The teams would maintain a scoreless tie through overtime and would eventually head to the fateful shootout. Alex Galchenyuk would provide the winner for the Americans.
US goalie John Gibson finished the game with 36 saves while Finnish keeper Antti Raanta would make 23 saves in the game.
The bronze medal is the sixth in the tournament for the United States. It was also the nation's first medal in the tournament since 2004. Back then, the United States defeated Slovakia to earn a bronze medal. More importantly, it was only the third medal that the Americans have won since 1963. They have not won a gold medal since 1960 and have not earned a second place silver since 1956. Throughout the tournament's history, the United States has earned two gold (1933, 1960) nine silver, and six bronze medals.
The Finnish have won two gold (1995, 2011), six silver, and three bronze medals in the tournament's history. Their last medal came in 2011 when they took down Sweden to win the gold medal.
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