United States beat Switzerland to win ice hockey world championship with sudden-death goal
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United States players and staff celebrate winning the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship on May 25.
PHOTO: REUTERS
STOCKHOLM – Tage Thompson fired a sudden-death winner for the United States as they claimed a thrilling 1-0 victory over Switzerland in the final of the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship on May 25, their first gold medal at the tournament since 1933.
After impressing with their free-flowing attacking play earlier in the tournament, both teams engaged in an enthralling and bruising tactical battle that remained scoreless for the entire 60 minutes, prompting the overtime period that saw the teams reduced from five to three players on the ice, plus their goaltenders.
Swiss netminder Leonardo Genoni played superbly throughout, but there was little he could do when Thompson broke forward and drove home the winning goal two minutes into the overtime period to claim the victory.
Many of the American players did not even see the winning puck hit the net.
“I don’t know when it did! I just heard the buzzer, and I just jumped out and I thought, hopefully it went in, so I’m glad it did,” a beaming Michael McCarron said with his historic gold medal hanging around his neck.
Forward Drew O’Connor added: “It’s huge. Obviously, we know how long it’s been.
“And, you know, we’ve been looking forward to finally trying to get it done, and I’m so excited that we did it with this group.”
Hockey history is clouded by the awarding of world champion status to the winners of the Olympic competition for many years.
Given that the Americans have not won Olympic gold since 1980, not one of the current team was even born the last time their nation stood on the top step of the podium, and the winning squad on May 25 were overcome with joy and relief as they celebrated their win.
The US defeated co-hosts Sweden 6-2 in the semi-finals on May 24 to reach the championship game. They had captured just five medals – all bronze – since 2000 (2004, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2021).
Thompson’s goal gave the centre nine points (six goals, three assists) in the tournament.
“It’s a crazy stat,” Thompson told NHL.com about the Americans’ first gold medal in 92 years. “It’s something that everyone in that room took to heart.
“When we got here, we all knew we wanted to be a part of something special, and I think each guy in that room committed...
“Everybody was positive, pulling for each other and after one common goal. That’s why we won.”
Earlier on May 25, Sweden beat fellow co-hosts Denmark 6-2 in the bronze-medal match, with the Danes securing their best-ever placing following their seismic win over Canada in the quarter-finals on May 22. REUTERS
