USA Hockey Ends 92-Year Drought with Gold Medal Win Over Switzerland at IIHF World Championship
STOCKHOLM, Sweden — May 25, 2025
In a historic moment for American hockey, Team USA captured its first gold medal at the IIHF World Championship since 1933, defeating Switzerland 1-0 in a dramatic overtime thriller on Sunday evening in Stockholm.
The long-awaited triumph came courtesy of a golden goal from Tage Thompson, ending a 92-year championship drought and sealing an unforgettable night for U.S. hockey fans across the globe.
The game, a tight defensive battle from start to finish, remained deadlocked through three periods of regulation. Both teams had their chances, but goaltenders Jeremy Swayman for the United States and Leonardo Genoni for Switzerland stood tall between the pipes, turning away every attempt and sending the final into sudden-death overtime.
Just two minutes into the extra frame, Thompson — a rising star for the Buffalo Sabres and a former first-round pick of the St. Louis Blues — seized the moment. Skating into the offensive zone, he received a slick feed from Logan Cooley, with Brady Skjei also credited with an assist. Thompson glided into the high slot and unleashed a perfectly placed wrist shot that beat Genoni on the blocker side.
“I just tried to get into space and let it rip,” said Thompson, who had not scored a goal during the tournament until his overtime heroics. “When it hit the back of the net, I kind of blacked out. It’s a dream come true — not just for me, but for every guy in that locker room, and for every American who’s been waiting a long time for this.”
A Defensive Showcase
From the opening faceoff, both the United States and Switzerland showcased disciplined, structured play. The Swiss, seeking their first-ever gold medal in the tournament,
frustrated the American offense with tight checking and a suffocating neutral zone trap. Meanwhile, Team USA responded with patience and composure, leaning on solid defense and superb goaltending from Swayman, who earned a 28-save shutout and was later named the tournament’s best goaltender.
The game had few penalties, few odd-man rushes, and no shortage of tension. Each blocked shot, each cleared puck, and each line change was met with intensity from the benches. With gold on the line, the smallest mistakes could have proved costly — but neither side flinched.
“The discipline and commitment from our guys tonight was world-class,” said head coach David Quinn. “This is what it takes to win at the highest level. I couldn’t be prouder of this team.”
A Long Time Coming
The last time Team USA won gold at the IIHF World Championship was in 1933 — long before the NHL had expanded beyond six teams and decades before Miracle on Ice in 1980. In the years since, the Americans had often fielded competitive rosters, even medaling with bronze on several occasions, but gold had remained elusive.
That all changed in Stockholm, where a blend of NHL talent, young emerging stars, and hard-nosed veterans came together at just the right time. Players like Logan Cooley, Matt Boldy, Luke Hughes, and Trevor Zegras provided youthful energy and skill, while leaders like Johnny Gaudreau, Brady Skjei, and Connor Murphy brought steadiness and experience.
“It’s been 92 years, and this team made history tonight,” said Gaudreau, one of Team USA’s alternate captains. “We’ve talked all tournament about leaving a legacy, and now we have.”
Looking Ahead
With the win, Team USA sends a strong message ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Many of the players from this roster could return, and with a core of young talent maturing quickly, the Americans will be legitimate contenders once again on the world stage.
For now, though, the spotlight belongs to this team — to Tage Thompson’s golden goal, to Jeremy Swayman’s brilliance in net, and to the group that finally brought the gold home after nearly a century of waiting.
USA Hockey fans — you’ve waited long enough. Gold is finally yours.
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