CNN
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For the first time since 1933, the US Men’s Hockey Team won the IIHF World Championship Tournament.
Team USA beat Switzerland 1-0 in Sunday overtime at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, in order to win the gold medal.
The Americans were playing in the IIHF Gold Medal Game for the first time in over 90 years, but were trapped in a defensive struggle against a stubborn Swiss team. Despite having a great advantage in goal shots, the US failed to pass Swiss goaltender Leonardo Genoni through a 60-minute regulated play.
However, just two minutes after the overtime, the Buffalo Sabres robbed Lister by passing Genoni for the winner of a sudden death. The goal was supported by Utah Mammoth Logan Cooley and Nashville Predators Brady Skaray.
Boston Bruins American goalkeeper Jeremy Swayman stopped all 25 shots he faced to keep the Swiss team out.
Thompson flocked to his jubilant teammates after winning the game’s winner, so many of the Swiss players could be seen hanging their heads in disappointment following a heartbreaking loss.
However, Switzerland was elegant in defeat as they shook hands with the Americans before the medal ceremony.
After receiving the gold medal, the US national anthem was played as the American flag raised in the Avicii Arena. The stars and stripes straddled the Swiss flag and the Swedish flag.
During the trophy presentation, Team USA embraced the hardware while embracing Johnny Gaudlow’s 13th jersey, who tragically passed away along with his brother Matthew last year after the pair was fatally hit by a suspected drunk driver while riding a bike on a new jersey road.
The importance of ending the nine-year IIHF World Championship drought was not lost to American athletes.
“It’s a great feeling. I mean, it took a very long time for the US. It was a great feeling to put this jersey back on, and it was a long time for me. I’ve now been able to win gold medals. “And in overtime there’s no better way to win the game.”
“Obviously we know how long it’s been,” American forward Drew O’Connor told Reuters. “And as you know, we are looking forward to finally trying to get it done. I’m really looking forward to doing it with this group.”
The victory may represent a good thing that will come to Team USA ahead of next year’s Winter Olympics at Italy’s Milan and Cortina Da Pezzo, where NHL players will be in the game for the first time since 2014.