Young Ducks stars Jackson Lacombe and Cutter Gauthier were a part of history over the weekend, helping Team USA win gold at the IIHF World Championships for the first time in nearly a century.
Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres) scored the lone goal 2:02 into overtime, and Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins) made 25 saves to help the United States defeat Switzerland 1-0 in the gold-medal game of the 2025 IIHF World Championship at Avicii Arena on Sunday. It’s the first gold medal for the U.S. since 1933.
Lacombe had a pair of goals, three assists and a team-leading +11 rating in 10 games during the tournament. One of the 24-year-old’s goals slammed the door on Team USA’s win over tournament host Sweden in the semis to secure a trip to the final.
The 21-year-old Gauthier tallied five goals and four assists in his 10 games to go along with a +9 rating. His 31 shots on goals ranked second on the team during the tournament.
Ducks head athletic trainer Chad Walker also won a gold as a member of the Team USA staff.
USA’s victim in the semifinals, Team Sweden, got a boost from Ducks standout Leo Carlsson, who had four goals and six assists in 10 games. Ducks teammate Isac Lundesdtrom had a goal and three assists in the tournament.
The U.S. had previously lost 12 consecutive semifinal games at the tournament before beating Sweden 6-2 on Saturday to advance to the gold-medal game.
The U.S. had won just five medals, all bronze, since 2000 (2004, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2021).
CUTTER GAUTHIER AND JACKSON LACOMBE ARE @IIHFHockey WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🦅🦅🦅 pic.twitter.com/BmA1Odzjhm
