BUFFALO, N.Y.--North Dakota freshmen Derek Forbort and Brock Nelson helped the United States make history today.

The Sioux duo helped lead the U.S. to a 4-2 win over Sweden in the bronze medal game of the IIHF World Under-20 Championship. It marked the first time the United States, last year's goal medalists, has won medals in consecutive years at the tournament.

Forbort, a defenseman from Duluth, Minn., appeared in all six tournament games and finished with an even plus/minus rating.

Nelson, a forward from Warroad, Minn., finished with one assists and a -1 rating in five tournament games.

Forbort and Nelson are the 30th and 31st players to represent UND on the U.S. National Junior roster dating back to 1979.

The Sioux hockey program has had 45 participants in the prestigious World Junior Hockey Championship, representing the United States, Canada and Slovakia.

Forbort and Nelson are scheduled to return to Grand Forks this week. UND hosts Robert Morris in a non-conference series on Friday and Saturday at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

~Go Sioux~