Team USA, guided by head coach Ryan Warsofsky, enters today’s gold-medal game with an impressive 8-1 record at the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship. Their lone loss came against Switzerland in the preliminary round, where the Swiss shut out Team USA, 3-0.
The U.S. has been a powerhouse offensively, scoring five or more goals in every game except one. Five players—Frank Nazar (6-6—12), Logan Cooley (4-7—11), Conor Garland (5-5—10), Clayton Keller (3-7—10), and Shane Pinto (2-8—10)—have tallied 10 or more points, a feat no other team has matched. Additionally, 10 or more players have contributed points in seven of the U.S.’s eight victories.
In goal, Jeremy Swayman has been perfect, with a 6-0 record, 1.98 goals-against average, and .905 save percentage. His six wins this tournament are just one shy of tying the U.S. single-tournament record.
Team USA advanced to the gold-medal game with a 6-2 victory over Sweden in yesterday’s semifinal, breaking a 12-game losing streak in the semifinals. The U.S. dominated, building a 4-0 lead before Sweden mounted a late rally. Pinto had a goal and two assists, and Swayman made 27 saves.
Switzerland, who triumphed over Denmark 7-0 in their semifinal, will look to take home gold this year after earning a silver medal last year. This marks their second consecutive appearance in the gold-medal game, following their run to the final in 2024.
First Period
The game began with Leonardo Genoni in net for Switzerland and Jeremy Swayman for the United States. The Swedes applied early pressure, testing Swayman with several strong shots, but the American goaltender stood firm and held on. At 08:32, Zach Werenski of the United States was called for cross-checking, sending Switzerland to the power play.
The United States pushed on, with Tage Thompson firing a shot on goal, but it went wide of the net as the Americans continued to pressure Switzerland. From there, it was a back-and-forth battle as both teams worked to gain momentum, trading chances and setting the tone for a tightly contested game.
Jeremy Swayman made a great save on a shot by Timo Meier, gloving it down to keep Switzerland off the board. Shortly after, the Swedes were called for a tripping penalty, sending the United States to the power play. Sven Andrighetto of Switzerland was sent to the box for the penalty.
Zach Werenski fired a laser shot on net, but it was batted away by Leonardo Genoni as the Americans surged in the zone. The U.S. made several strong shots on net, firing four back-to-back, but the Swiss goalie stood firm and held strong against the pressure.
After 20 minutes and some great looks from both teams. The period ended with each side having the same number of shots on net, 11 apiece, and no goals on the tally for either team.
First Period Stats
Shots on Goal: Switzerland 11 | United States 11
Saves: Switzerland 11 | United States 2
Penalty Minutes (PIM): Switzerland 2 | United States 2
Second Period
The second period started with Jeremy Swayman taking some early shots, but he held on well, making key saves to keep the game scoreless. There was a bit of feistiness after each play, as both teams began to get more aggressive. As the period progressed, tension mounted, with each side trying to gain control of the puck and force the play in their direction. The back-and-forth battle intensified, with both teams pushing hard to break the deadlock.
At one point, Zach Werenski passed the puck to Michael McCarron, but the play was broken up by Switzerland’s defense, denying the U.S. a scoring opportunity. Later, Shane Pinto drove to the net with the puck, but Leonardo Genoni, Switzerland’s goalie, made the save to keep the game scoreless. Another shot by the U.S. after the play was also denied, but the Americans continued to press on. Brady Skjei fired the puck back in, and once again, both sides battled hard to carry control of the play.
A very physical game was being had, and up to this point, neither team seemed ready to relinquish control—and rightfully so, as the gold medal was on the line.
Frank Nazar got a breakaway, and as the play developed, Switzerland was forced to stop the chance with a hook by Michael Fora. The American team was then granted a penalty shot opportunity. Nazar wanted to take it, but it was Conor Garland who was granted the shot. Unfortunately, Leonardo Genoni stood tall, and Garland was ultimately denied by the Swiss goalie. As of now, the United States led the shots on goal with 7, while Switzerland had 4.
Matty Beniers took a shot from the circle, but the shot was blocked, and Switzerland managed to clear the zone. Philipp Ambühl had a scary chance on net during a U.S. line change, but Jeremy Swayman was ready and stopped the puck, preventing a dangerous scoring opportunity.
Both teams battled in, but the Americans got the puck into the offensive zone, with tons of traffic in front. The Americans tried to get things on net, but once again, the Swiss goalie stood firm, a brick wall the Americans couldn’t seem to break down. Tage Thompson made a shot attempt but could not find the twine as Leonardo Genoni made another key save. Alex Vlasic then took a shot, but Leonardo Genoni knocked it down, and play continued without a stoppage. Switzerland made a shot on net, but Jeremy Swayman knocked it wide, keeping the score level.
Michael McCarron got a piece of the puck but was denied by Genoni, and later another shot was equally denied, keeping the game scoreless. After the play, Conor Garland and some Swiss players got tangled up behind the net as tensions continued to mount. Will Smith took a shot off a bouncing puck, but the Swiss defense managed to get a piece of it, blocking the attempt and preventing the U.S. from capitalizing.
With just seconds remaining, Tage Thompson was called for tripping, sending the dangerous Swiss power-play unit out on the ice. But just before the buzzer, the United States had two short-handed chances, pressing hard and nearly getting on the board as they broke into the Swiss zone.
After 40 minutes, the score remained 0–0, with both teams giving everything they had in this gold medal game.
Second Period Stats
Shots on Goal: Switzerland 9 | United States 17
Saves: Switzerland 17 | United States 9
Penalty Minutes (PIM): Switzerland 0 | United States 2
Third Period
The tension was palpable, as each team pressed for that crucial breakthrough. With the gold medal on the line, every play carried immense weight, and it was clear that neither team was willing to relinquish their hold on the game. The Swiss started the third period on the power play after a penalty at the end of the second, but the United States successfully killed it off, keeping Switzerland from capitalizing on the man advantage. Frank Nazar had a shot up front, but it was stopped by Leonardo Genoni, keeping the score level. Jackson Lacombe tried to drive the play forward but was poke-checked, and the puck was swiftly cleared by the Swiss defense.
Brady Skjei then took a shot that defied the odds, but it was denied by Genoni, keeping Switzerland’s defense strong and the game still scoreless. Moments later, Jeremy Swayman made his own solid stop at the other end, denying Switzerland a chance to break the deadlock. A little while after, Cutter Gauthier fired a shot, but it was denied by Genoni once again, keeping the game in check.
Logan Cooley had a chance, and the Americans continued to surge on, pressing hard as they looked to break through the Swiss defense and gain the upper hand. This remained a game of defense, but the Americans were not done knocking on the Swiss door, determined to find a way to break through.
Kevin Fiala drove the puck to the net, but Jeremy Swayman was there to stop the Swiss attempt, keeping the game locked in a tense stalemate. Now, with less than half a period remaining, both sides could be seen working relentlessly, trying to break through, as the clock ticked down and the stakes rose higher. “Pressure” by Queen was playing in the arena, and that seemed rather fitting now, as both teams were feeling the weight of the moment.
We ended the second period scoreless and moved into a 3-on-3 overtime as both teams tried to find the game-winner in an exciting, open format.
Third Period Stats
Shots on Goal: Switzerland 4 | United States 11
Saves: Switzerland 11 | United States 4
Penalty Minutes (PIM): Switzerland 2 | United States 2
Overtime
Tage Thompson delivered the golden goal in overtime, leading the United States to a 1–0 victory over Switzerland in the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship gold medal game. His decisive goal at 2:02 of the 3-on-3 overtime secured the U.S.’s first world championship title since 1933.
Goal! SUI 0 – 1 USA Tage Thompson scored for the United States (Assisted by Logan Cooley and Brady Skjei).
Final Summary
Overtime Stats
Shots on Goal: Switzerland 1 | United States 1
Saves: Switzerland 0 | United States 1
Penalty Minutes (PIM): Switzerland 0 | United States 0
The game remained scoreless through regulation, with both teams showcasing strong defensive play and stellar goaltending. Leonardo Genoni of Switzerland and Jeremy Swayman of the U.S. kept their respective teams in the game with crucial saves. The Americans had a late power-play opportunity in the third period, but the Swiss penalty kill held firm, sending the game into overtime.
With the win, the United States clinched their first gold medal at the IIHF Men’s World Championship in 92 years, marking a historic achievement for the team.
After the game, the American team received their trophy, and they held up Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey in front, celebrating their historic victory with their teammate there in spirit..
Total Stats
Shots on Goal: Switzerland 25 | United States 40
Saves: Switzerland 39 | United States 25
Penalty Minutes (PIM): Switzerland 4 | United States 4
Players of the Game
Switzerland: Leonardo Genoni – Despite the loss, Genoni’s performance in goal kept Switzerland in the game, with key saves throughout regulation and overtime.
United States: Tage Thompson – Scoring the golden goal in overtime, Thompson secured the U.S. victory and their first gold medal in nearly a century.
Tournament MVP
Sweden: Leonardo Genoni – His stellar goaltending throughout the tournament earned him the MVP honors, showcasing his consistency and leadership in the crease.
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