Team USA wins gold at World Inline Championship

By @MichaelCaples –

For the first time since 2013, USA Hockey has won gold at the IIHF Inline Hockey World Championship.

With a 4-2 victory Saturday against Finland, the Americans – led by three Michigan natives – secured the tournament title in Bratislava, Slovakia.

It was a dominating week of games for the U.S. squad, as they went undefeated in six games. Team USA out-scored their opponents a combined 37-12.

Three Michigan natives played crucial roles in the tournament championship.

Tyler Spezia, a forward from Clinton Township and a Bowling Green standout, recorded five points in the six games.

Jerry Kuhn, a goaltender from Southgate and Western Michigan alum, played two games and posted a 1.51 goals-against average with two victories.

The team was coached by Ann Arbor native Joe Cook, the seventh time he has served in that capacity.