U.S. team/RoughRiders win gold

A United States hockey team consisting of primarily United States Hockey League players (including four Cedar Rapids RoughRiders) and coached by RoughRiders head coach/general manager Mark Carlson defeated Canada West, 2-1, Sunday to win the World Junior 'A' Challenge in Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Matt Leitner of the Fargo Force scored 50 seconds in the third period for the winning goal. Eamonn McDermott of Fargo, who assisted on Leitner's goal, scored on the power play late in the second period to tie the game at 1-1.

Eric Mihalik of the Des Moines Buccaneers stopped 28 shots to pick up the win in net. RoughRiders on the teams were Derek DeBlois, Jeff Costello, Mac Bennett and Mike Parks.

It's the second year in a row Carlson has led Team USA to the gold medal at the six-team, five-nation tournament.

"The team showed some great resiliency, not only tonight, but for the entire tournament," he said. "They continued to fight when trailing tonight and the coaching staff is extremely proud of their effort. It's a great feeling winning the championship for the second straight year."

Bennett and Shane Berschbach of the Indiana Ice were named to the all-tournament team.