(Western Journal) The U.S. national junior hockey team was showered with praise for proudly singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” after winning the world championship Friday in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Team USA defeated hockey powerhouse Sweden 6-2 to win the gold medal in the 2024 International Ice Hockey Federation world junior hockey championship.
“The guys played excellent today,” head coach David Carle told USA Hockey. “It’s a joy for them.
“They focused on getting to this game and playing their best for the last game of the tournament and I thought they did that. It’s a great honor to be a part of a winning team.”
Gabe Perreault of Boston College — a first-round pick of the New York Rangers — led the Americans with a goal and two assists, according to The Associated Press.
The game ended with the frustrated Swedes brawling with players from Team USA.
This is the sixth gold medal the United States has won in the under-20 international tournament. The previous five wins occurred in 2021, 2017, 2013, 2010 and 2004.
While the achievement was a triumph, it was the young athletes’ exuberant display of patriotism that won kudos on social media.
The American players singing their national anthem together after winning Gold at the #WorldJuniors 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/JenCCaVTLO
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2024
