Thanks to a 1-0 win over Switzerland on Sunday afternoon, Team USA won its first gold medal at the IIHF World Hockey Championship in 92 years. Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson scored the game-winning goal in overtime, while Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman recorded the shutout in goal.
Following the victory, the United States team accepted the championship trophy while carrying a Johnny Gaudreau jersey in hand.
Gaudreau, a long-time member of the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets, as well as a member of Team USA during several tournaments, was tragically killed by a drunken driver over the summer. He would have almost certainly represented the U.S. at this past year’s Four Nations tournament and at the 2026 Olympics.
