A native son helped put Rossmoor on the world map today, scoring two goals to lead Team USA to the gold medal over Sweden in the prestigious IIHF World Junior Championships.
Rocco Grimaldi scored two goals in the 3-1 victory over the reigning champion Swedes. With the team down 1-0 halfway through the second period, Grimaldi fought off a defenseman behind the Swedish net with a spin-around move and a shot from the corner to beat Swedish goalie Niklas Lundstrom.
Grimaldi scored twice in a three-minute span to swing the game in the Americans' favor. He powered from behind the net for his first, and then redirected Jacob Trouba's slapshot from the blue-line midway through second period…."I couldn't be more proud of our players and staff," said U.S. coach Phil Housley. "And I'm also really happy for hockey fans in our country. This was a total team effort throughout the tournament.”
The US team started the international tournament as the underdog to a Canadian team stacked with top young NHL players or prospects. But on Thursday, the US players pulled off a stunning upset over Canada with 5-1 victory.
A dynamic forward drafted 33rd overall by the Florida Panthers in 2011, Grimaldi just completed his freshman year playing for the University of North Dakota.
