U.S. Men's Ice Hockey Team Wins First World Championship Gold Since 1960

In a historic triumph, the United States men's national ice hockey team clinched their first IIHF World Championship gold medal since 1960, defeating Switzerland 1-0 in sudden-death overtime on May 25, 2025, at Stockholm's Avicii Arena.

The championship game remained scoreless through regulation, with the U.S. outshooting Switzerland 39 to 24. Swiss goaltender Leonardo Genoni delivered an exceptional performance, notably saving a penalty shot by Conor Garland and a late attempt by Frank Nazar. The deadlock was broken two minutes and two seconds into the three-on-three overtime period when Tage Thompson scored the decisive goal, securing the victory for Team USA.

This victory marks a significant milestone for the U.S. team, ending a 65-year gold medal drought in the IIHF World Championship. Prior to this win, the United States had secured gold medals in 1933 and 1960. Since 1960, the team had achieved one silver medal in 1950 and seven bronze medals, with the most recent bronze in 2021.

The 2025 IIHF World Championship, co-hosted by Stockholm, Sweden, and Herning, Denmark, from May 9 to 25, featured 16 teams competing in 63 games, with a total of 372 goals scored and an attendance of 476,920. The tournament was notable for several upsets and historic performances. Co-host Denmark achieved their best-ever finish by reaching the semifinals and ultimately placing fourth after a 6-2 loss to Sweden in the bronze medal game. Denmark's journey included a major upset over Canada in the quarterfinals, marking Canada's first failure to finish in the top four since 2014.

Key players in the tournament included Leonardo Genoni of Switzerland, who was awarded the tournament's Most Valuable Player, leading all goaltenders with a 95.33% save percentage and four shutouts. David Pastrňák of Czechia led the tournament in scoring with 15 points (6 goals, 9 assists) over 8 games. Tage Thompson's gold medal-winning goal in overtime was pivotal in securing the championship for Team USA.

The United States' victory in the 2025 IIHF World Championship has significant implications for the sport's popularity and development within the country. Ending a 65-year gold medal drought may inspire increased youth participation in ice hockey and boost the sport's profile nationally. The win also serves as a testament to the growth and competitiveness of American ice hockey on the international stage.

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), founded in 1908, is the governing body for international ice hockey competitions, including the World Championship. The United States men's national ice hockey team, managed by USA Hockey, has a storied history with notable achievements including Olympic gold medals in 1960 and 1980, and now three World Championship golds (1933, 1960, 2025). The Swiss national ice hockey team has been competitive on the world stage, with this 2025 silver medal marking one of their most significant achievements.

Denmark's fourth-place finish is their best-ever in the IIHF World Championship, highlighted by their quarterfinal victory over Canada. The U.S. team's gold medal ends a 65-year drought in the World Championship, marking their third title in the tournament's history.

This comprehensive overview provides the necessary factual information and context to understand the significance of the 2025 IIHF World Championship and its broader implications.