In a heart-pounding clash at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, the United States secured a 6-5 overtime victory over Norway, with Tage Thompson delivering a dramatic hat trick, including the game-winning goal. After building a commanding 5-1 lead, the U.S. saw Norway mount an incredible comeback, forcing a tense overtime period. Stian Solberg’s three-goal performance for Norway, including a last-minute equalizer, brought the game to the brink, but Thompson’s power-play strike sealed the win for Team USA. This thrilling contest showcased the relentless drive of both teams and set the stage for more high-stakes action as the tournament progresses.
The game kicked off with both teams settling in, but the United States quickly asserted dominance. After a penalty on Norway, the U.S. capitalized, with Cutter Gauthier opening the scoring at 4:50. Gauthier’s one-timer, set up by Shane Pinto and Will Smith, gave the Americans a 1-0 lead.
GOAL (4:50): Cutter Gauthier (USA) – Even Strength | Assisted by Shane Pinto, Will Smith
The United States continued to control the play. Clayton Keller doubled their lead at 7:18, with a wrist shot from the left faceoff circle, beating Norway’s goaltender, Tobias Normann, on the glove side.
GOAL (7:18): Clayton Keller (USA) – Even Strength | Assisted by Jackson LaCombe, Michael Kesselring
Norway fought back with a power-play goal at 9:59. Stian Solberg’s shot from the point got through traffic, cutting the U.S. lead to 2-1.
GOAL (9:59): Stian Solberg (NOR) – Power Play | Assisted by Jacob Berglund, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard
But the Americans responded quickly. Tage Thompson capitalized on a defensive mistake, making it 3-1 at 12:34.
GOAL (12:34): Tage Thompson (USA) – Even Strength | Unassisted
At 17:50, Michael McCarron added another, tipping in a pass from Drew O’Connor to put the U.S. up 4-1.
GOAL (17:50): Michael McCarron (USA) – Even Strength | Assisted by Drew O’Connor, Isaac Howard
The first period ended with the U.S. leading 4-1. They dominated possession and outshot Norway 20-5.
First Period Stats:
Shots on Goal: USA 20 | Norway 5
Saves: USA 4 | Norway 16
Penalty Minutes (PIM): USA 2 | Norway 4
Second Period
The U.S. extended their lead early in the second period with a power-play goal at 22:55. Tage Thompson’s wrist shot from the left circle made it 5-1, with assists from Clayton Keller and Zach Werenski.
GOAL (22:55): Tage Thompson (USA) – Power Play | Assisted by Clayton Keller, Zach Werenski
Norway had a chance to narrow the gap when they got a two-man advantage after Andrew Peeke was penalized for delay of game. Stian Solberg capitalized, scoring on a long wrist shot from the blue line at 26:59 to make it 5-2.
GOAL (26:59): Stian Solberg (NOR) – Power Play | Unassisted
Norway’s momentum continued. At 32:48, Martin Ronnild scored on a breakaway, cutting the lead to 5-3.
GOAL (32:48): Martin Ronnild (NOR) – Even Strength | Unassisted
Despite a few chances from both teams, including a missed breakaway by Frank Nazar and a shot off the post by Andreas Martinsen, the U.S. held onto their 5-3 lead heading into the third period.
Second Period Stats:
Shots on Goal: USA 7 | Norway 4
Saves: USA 2 | Norway 6
Penalty Minutes (PIM): USA 6 | Norway 2
Third Period
Norway’s comeback continued early in the third. At 51:08, Noah Steen intercepted a pass at the U.S. blue line, broke away, and scored to make it 5-4.
GOAL (51:08): Noah Steen (NOR) – Even Strength | Unassisted
The U.S. tightened up defensively but couldn’t keep Norway from continuing to push. With just 1:27 left in regulation, Stian Solberg scored again, this time with the Norwegian goaltender pulled for the extra attacker. His shot from the point went through traffic to tie the game at 5-5.
GOAL (58:33): Stian Solberg (NOR) – Extra Attacker | Assisted by Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Martin Ronnild
The game went to overtime with the score tied at 5-5.
Third Period Stats:
Shots on Goal: USA 10 | Norway 9
Saves: USA 7 | Norway 10
Penalty Minutes (PIM): USA 2 | Norway 2
Overtime
Team USA wasted no time in overtime, earning a power-play chance early. With Norway’s Emil Lilleberg in the box for holding, the Americans capitalized on the man advantage. At 4:09, Tage Thompson completed his hat trick, scoring the game-winning goal on a power-play one-timer, assisted by Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller.
GOAL (4:09): Tage Thompson (USA) – Power Play | Assisted by Logan Cooley, Clayton Keller
The U.S. took the 6-5 victory in overtime.
Overtime Stats:
Shots on Goal: USA 2 | Norway 0
Saves: USA 0 | Norway 1
Penalty Minutes (PIM): USA 0 | Norway 2
Game Summary
Team USA jumped out to a commanding 5-1 lead, but Norway mounted a dramatic comeback, scoring four unanswered goals to tie the game at 5-5. However, Thompson’s hat trick, including the game-winning goal in overtime, secured the victory for the U.S. Despite the loss, Norway’s resilience earned them their first point of the tournament, and Solberg’s standout performance (three goals) was a bright spot for the Scandinavian underdogs. The U.S. will look to tighten up their play moving forward, while Norway’s inspiring effort proved they can compete with the best.
Shots on Goal: USA 39 | Norway 18
Saves: USA 14 | Norway 33
Penalty Minutes (PIM): USA 10 | Norway 14
Power Play: USA 2/5 | Norway 2/5
Players of the Game
- USA: Tage Thompson (Hat Trick)
- NOR: Stian Solberg (Hat Trick)
Up Next
Both teams are set for their next matchups in the 2025 IIHF World Championship. Team USA will face Germany on 17 May at 12:20 (Local time) / 06:20 AM (EST) at Jyske Bank Boxen in Group B. Meanwhile, Norway will take on Switzerland the day before, on 16 May at 20:20 (Local time) / 02:20 PM (EST), also at Jyske Bank Boxen in Group B. Both games promise to be high-stakes matchups as each team looks to build momentum in the tournament.
Photo Gallery: United States vs Norway – 2025 IIHF WM
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