Stockholm, Sweden – The Americans are not leaving Stockholm empty-handed thanks to 19-year-olds Alex Galchenyuk and John Gibson.
Galchenyuk scored the tying and winning goals in the shootout, lifting Team USA to a 3-2 win over Finland in the bronze-medal game at the 2013 World Hockey Championship.
Gibson stopped 36 shots through regulation and overtime, then made three more saves in the shootout, helping the United States claim their first medal at this tournament since finishing third in 2004.
The Americans took a 2-0 lead into the third period, but Lauri Korpikoski struck twice to draw Finland even. Finland had the edge in the shootout when Janne Pesonen scored to close out the second round.
Needing a goal to keep the medal hopes of Team USA alive, Galchenyuk elevated the puck over goalie Antti Raanta. Korpikoski had a chance to win it for Finland, but he fired wide of the net.
The Finns opted to go first in the fourth round and Mikael Granlund went with flash on his attempt, but the toe drag move failed. Galchenyuk then beat Raanta with a similar move to his left to seal the win.
Craig Smith and captain Paul Stastny scored in the first period for the Americans.
Sunday's gold-medal game pits Sweden against Switzerland.
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