Russia beats United States in U-18 hockey final

Alexei Cherepanov and Egor Averin scored late in the third period to help Russia beat the United States 6-5 Sunday in the final of the under-18 world championship, ruining the American team's bid for a third straight title.

Photo: Russia beats United States in U-18 hockey final

Russia beats United States in U-18 hockey final

Sweden beat Canada 8-3 in the third-place game.

Cherepanov beat goalie Josh Unice with a wrist shot to give Russia a 5-4 lead at 11:52. Averin made it 6-4 at 17:45, beating Unice with a shot between the pads.

The United States pulled Unice for an extra skater with 40 seconds left, and with only 6 seconds to go Colin Wilson got the Americans within a goal. But it was too late.

Wilson and teammate James Vanriemsdyk topped the final scoring list with five goals and seven assists.

The Americans led 2-0 on goals by C.J. Severyn and Vinny Saponari in the first seven minutes. Russia tied it at 2-2 on goals by Andrei Loktionov and Sergei Korostin, and Wilson's goal gave the Americans a 3-2 lead after one period.

Russia jumped ahead on goals by Dmitry Kugryshev and Nikita Klyukin, and Vanriemsdyk tied it at 4-4 at 10:37 of the second period.

Cherepanov, who is expected to be picked high in the upcoming NHL draft, finished with five goals and three assists. Early this year, he was one of the best players at the U20 worlds in Sweden.

Cherepanov scored with 1 second left in the semifinals against Sweden to send Russia to the gold-medal game. He also was named to the tournament All-Star team.