The United States won the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship on Sunday with a dramatic 1-0 overtime victory over Switzerland. Forward Tage Thompson scored the winning goal in sudden death, giving the U.S. its first world championship title since 1933.
American players have long excelled in the NHL, but international gold has been rare. Before this win, the U.S. had only one world championship title, a drought lasting nearly a century.
The final was a tight, defensive game. Both teams kept a clean sheet through regular time. In the three-on-three overtime period, the momentum shifted to the Americans, and Thompson seized the opportunity.
“It’s just incredible,” said forward Michael McCarron. “It’s been such a long time for U.S. hockey, and to win it like this — in overtime — makes it even more special.”
The winning goal came so fast that many players did not realize it had scored right away. “I didn’t see it — I just heard the buzzer and jumped up,” McCarron said. “I hoped it counted, and I’m glad it did.”
From the bench, Drew O’Connor shared the tension. “It’s actually more stressful watching. On the ice, you just play. But when you’re sitting, it’s out of your hands.”
This victory marks a new chapter for U.S. hockey. Since their 1980 Olympic gold, international success has been scarce. None of the players on this team were born when the U.S. last won the world title in 1933.
With this championship, Team USA may have started a new era based on persistence and skill — a moment celebrated worldwide.