Tage Thompson scores in overtime as USA wins first IIHF World Championship since 1933
Buffalo Sabres star Tage Thompson lifts Team USA over Switzerland in overtime to clinch historic gold in Stockholm.
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| Tage Thompson of the United States celebrates winning the gold medal during the 2025 Ice Hockey World Championship final between Switzerland and the USA at Avicii Arena on May 25, 2025, in Stockholm, Sweden. Photo by Andrea Branca/Eurasia Sport Images |
By Yuni Utomo and Randy Ahmad
The United States men’s hockey team ended a 91-year drought at the IIHF World Championship with a thrilling 1-0 overtime victory against Switzerland in the gold medal game on Sunday, thanks to a clutch goal from Buffalo Sabres star Tage Thompson. The win, secured in Stockholm, marked the United States’ first World Championship title since 1933 and solidified the team’s status as an emerging international force.
Thompson scored the decisive goal in overtime—his only tally of the game—off a slick pass from Logan Cooley. The goal was not only the highlight of the night but also a fitting conclusion to a tournament where Team USA’s talent, depth, and goaltending excellence shone through.
How it happened: A game of inches ends with Thompson's brilliance
Tage Thompson scores in overtime to lift the Americans past a resilient Swiss side led by goaltender Leonardo Genoni, who was nothing short of spectacular throughout the match. Thompson took a feed from Cooley on the right wing, with Cooley cutting hard to the net and drawing defenders. Thompson then ripped a shot from the top of the right circle that beat Genoni, who had stood tall all game.
Genoni, a 37-year-old stalwart of the Swiss national team, stopped 38 of 39 shots and nearly stole the show. His performance included a highlight-reel save on a penalty shot taken by Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland in the second period.
Meanwhile, at the other end, Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman was flawless. The 25-year-old turned away all 25 shots he faced, earning a shutout in the most important game of his international career to date.
Team USA’s path to gold: Depth and defense define the journey
This edition of Team USA was far from a full-strength Olympic roster. Many top American stars stayed home, but the team’s “B-squad” proved that its hockey depth is among the best in the world. Led by veterans like Thompson and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, the team also featured rising stars such as Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto, Utah Mammoth wingers Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley, and Anaheim Ducks standout Cutter Gauthier.
Throughout the two-week tournament co-hosted by Denmark and Sweden, the Americans played with structure and speed. Their blue line remained disciplined, and their forecheck pressured even the most elite opposition into mistakes. The 1-0 final score may suggest a cagey affair, but in reality, the Americans controlled most of the 60 minutes of regulation. Only Genoni’s brilliance kept Switzerland in the contest.
The quarterfinal shocker that stole the spotlight
While the United States and Switzerland earned their place in the final through consistency and discipline, the tournament's most unforgettable moment occurred in the quarterfinals. There, Denmark shocked the hockey world by upsetting tournament favorites Canada.
Canada, stacked with NHL stars like Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon and backstopped by recent 4 Nations Face-off champion Jordan Binnington, was leading 1-0 late in the third period. Denmark pulled its goalie, tied the game, and then scored the game-winner in the final minute of regulation—a stunning sequence that sent the defending champions home and changed the course of the tournament.
This unexpected result underscored the rise of competitive parity in international hockey, as nations traditionally viewed as underdogs continue to develop world-class talent and coaching.
What this means for Team USA and the global hockey landscape
While the IIHF World Championship doesn’t carry the same prestige in North America as the Olympics or the 4 Nations Face-off, the significance of this win should not be underestimated. For the United States, this gold medal is both a symbolic and practical milestone.
Symbolically, it ends a near-century of frustration in the World Championship. Practically, it showcases the remarkable depth the U.S. program now commands. With many Olympic-level stars absent from the roster, the victory shows that Team USA’s second-tier players can still compete—and win—against the best in the world.
Even if this doesn’t guarantee Olympic success nine months from now in Milan, it sends a clear message: the United States is building a program that can sustain elite performance over multiple tournaments, with multiple generations of talent.
Goaltending steals the spotlight
Low-scoring games were a recurring theme during this year’s championship, and much of that came down to goaltending. From Swayman’s clutch shutout to Genoni’s near-heroics for Switzerland, the netminders were the stars of the show.
European teams in particular displayed impressive goaltending depth. Even traditionally under-the-radar nations like Denmark and Switzerland showcased goalies who kept their teams alive against top-tier opponents.
Conversely, Canada’s performance highlighted a troubling trend: the once-dominant hockey nation is struggling to produce elite goaltending. With the Olympics approaching, this issue could loom large, especially considering Binnington’s inconsistency and the lack of depth behind him.
Olympic implications and rising stars
Although this tournament isn’t a direct precursor to the Olympic Games, it often serves as a testing ground for young players and a barometer for national programs. This year's championship reaffirmed that the United States has one of the deepest pipelines in international hockey.
Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, and Cutter Gauthier all proved themselves capable of performing under pressure, and their performances could make a case for their inclusion in the Olympic squad. Meanwhile, veterans like Thompson showed leadership and clutch ability, attributes that are invaluable in high-stakes games.
As for Switzerland, the silver medal remains an impressive achievement. Their journey to the final included wins over established programs and showcased a balanced team capable of going toe-to-toe with anyone.
A new era for American hockey?
Tage Thompson’s overtime goal not only sealed a gold medal for Team USA but may also represent a turning point in the nation’s hockey history. With strong goaltending, reliable veterans, and a wave of emerging talent, the United States has built a foundation for sustained international success.
Whether this win is a stepping stone to Olympic glory remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Team USA’s win over Switzerland in Stockholm has rekindled belief and excitement in American hockey—and ended a 91-year wait in spectacular fashion.
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