Predators Skjei, McCarron help United States to 1st IIHF World Championship in 92 years
Defenseman Brady Skjei and forward Michael McCarron are used to donning gold during Nashville Predators home games, but they will be bringing some similarly colored hardware back to Nashville.
The pair of Predators helped the United States win its first IIHF World Championship Gold Medal in 92 years on Sunday, defeating Switzerland, 1-0, in overtime. Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson scored the game-winning goal two minutes into overtime.
Skjei played for Team USA for the seventh time in his career, fourth at the World Championship, and has his second gold medal.
He had a goal and two assists in 10 games and four penalty minutes. Skjei's goal came in a 6-2 win over Sweden in the semifinal round.
This was the second time that McCarron represented the United States at the international level, and the first in his professional career.
He recorded a goal and an assist in 10 games and two penalty minutes. His lone goal came in a 6-5 overtime win over Norway.
In the Gold Medal game, Skjei and McCarron faced off against four former Predators.
Kevin Fiala, who was drafted by the Predators 11th overall in 2014 and spent the first five seasons of his career in Nashville, represented Switzerland at the World Championship for the seventh time in his career. He finished the tournament with 10 points in eight games.
Nino Niederreiter, who played 56 games for the Predators during the 2022-23 season, had five points in four games.
Former draft picks Simon Knak (2021, 179th overall) and Tyler Moy (2015, 175th overall) represented Switzerland and currently play in Switzerland's top professional hockey league.
The Swiss have now won Sliver Medals in back to back World Championships.
In the Bronze Medal game, Predators assistant captain Filip Forsberg and Sweden defeated Denmark, 6-2.
Forsberg had four points in nine games and has his second medal at the World Championship. He won a Gold Medal with the Swedes in 2018.
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