Herning, Denmark (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson was the hero for the United States on Wednesday at the 2025 IIHF World Championship. He completed a hat-trick, including the game-winning goal in overtime of a 6-5 win over Norway.
Thompson's first goal of the game came in the opening period to give the U.S. a 3-1 lead. After having a first shot towards the Norwegian net blocked, he gathered a flubbed clearing attempt and wired a shot past goalie Tobias Normann.
Less than three minutes into the second period, Thompson netted his second goal of the game on the power play. His tally came as Thompson received a cross-ice pass from Clayton Keller (Utah Mammoth), settled the puck down and wired a wrist shot past a sprawling Normann to give the Americans a 5-1 lead.
Despite getting out to a four-goal advantage, the Americans crumbled against a Norway team with just four players drafted by or playing with NHL teams.
With just 1:27 remaining in regulation and trailing by a goal, Norwegian defenseman Stian Solberg (Anaheim Ducks) was able to beat U.S. goalie Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins) through traffic to tie the game at 5-5, complete a hat-trick of his own, and force overtime.
In the extra frame, though, the Americans managed to secure the win with a power play chance in the final minute of play. Thompson was able to unleash a one-timer from the off-wing after a nice cross-ice feed from Logan Cooley (Mammoth) to net his third goal of the contest.
After a rough couple of games for Thompson against Hungary and Switzerland, he rebounded nicely with his three goals against Norway, earning him Player of the Game honors for the U.S.
Through four games in the 2025 World Championship, the 27-year-old has four points (1+3).
With the win, the Americans sit in a tie for second in Group B play with eight points in four games. However, both Germany and Czechia still have a game in-hand on the U.S. in the standings.
Team USA will have the next couple of days off before returning to action on Saturday against Germany.