The Gardiner native and NYA graduate earns his first medal in nine attempts.

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) – The United States won the bronze medal at the hockey world championships Sunday, beating Slovakia in a penalty shootout on a clinching goal by Erik Westrum.

After a scoreless regulation and 10-minute overtime, the United States won the penalty shootout 4-2.

It was the first medal for the United States since finishing third in 1996 in Austria. The Americans lost the bronze-medal game to Sweden three years ago and placed 13th at last year’s worlds.

“It was tough after the loss in the semifinals,” United States coach Peter Laviolette said of Saturday’s loss to Sweden. “The objective was to get the team up for the bronze-medal game. They can be proud of themselves.”

Eric Weinrich, a veteran defenseman from the St. Louis Blues, earned his first medal in his record ninth appearance at the worlds. He didn’t play in 1996.

“Yeah, finally! I think I’m going to quit coming now,” Weinrich said.

Andy Roach, the goal-scoring star in the penalty shootout that knocked out the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals, put the Americans ahead for good. His shot beat goaltender Jan Lasak in the third round.

Marian Gaborik of the Minnesota Wild, one of 11 Slovakian NHL players, missed the next shot. Westrum, who plays with the Phoenix Coyotes, then put another one behind Lasak.

“I feel kind of responsible,” Lasak said. “It feels like destiny for us to lose this game because we were always one step behind from scoring a goal.

“I feel bad because I didn’t bring a medal back to Slovakia because the people believed in us and were hoping.”

Ty Conklin, who shut out the Czechs in overtime and the penalty shootout Wednesday, and Lasak gave up the two first goals in the shootout.

Pavol Demitra of the St. Louis Blues missed the other shot for Slovakia in the third round.

Conklin of the Edmonton Oilers goalie went undefeated in the tournament with four wins and one tie.

He made several dazzling saves in the game. The best, perhaps, came with Slovakia on the power play late in overtime when he stopped Miroslav Satan’s shot from the top of the right circle with his skate blade.

Eric Weinrich, a veteran defenseman from the St. Louis Blues, earned his first medal in his record ninth appearance at the worlds. He didn’t play in 1996.

“Yeah, finally! I think I’m going to quit coming now,” Weinrich said.

AP-ES-05-09-04 1527EDT