Czech Republic – Sweden 2:1 aet (0:0/0:1/1:0/1:0)
Jiri Kulich scored the goal 50 seconds before the end of extra time in the Czech Republic’s 2-1 win over Sweden and sent the Czechs through to the final of the World Youth Championship for the first time since 2001.
“I said before the tournament that we have one of the best teams here,” said Czech striker Jakub Brabenec. “One of the best Czech sides of the last 20 years. I believe in it.”
Kulich, a first-round pick by the Buffalo Sabers in 2022, prevailed on the right wing and overcame Sweden goalie Carl Lindbom with a quick shot under the stick side arm. The winning goal, Kulich’s sixth goal of the tournament, was the culmination of a comeback.
In front of a crowd of 9,265 at the Scotiabank Centre, the Swedes put on a disciplined, defensively-oriented performance that nearly saw them through to the final for the first time since losing 3-1 to Canada in 2018.
The Swedes had taken a 1-0 lead through a goal by Ludvig Jansson in the second period before David Jiricek equalized with 39 seconds left in the third period. David Spacek was involved in both Czech goals with an assist.
“I don’t know what happened,” said Sweden defender Adam Engstrom. “We had a good game. We played well in defense but were unlucky with the first goal late in the third period. But that’s life, so we’ll prepare and we’ll play well tomorrow. It’s an important game .”
During the course of the game, the Czechs had some problems converting their previous offensive strength into good chances. Again and once more, the Swedes passionately threw themselves into the shots and blocked. What came through was Lindbom’s safe prey for a long time before Kulich’s hard direct shot slipped under his pads in the last minute.
The Czech Republic has not won a medal at the Junior World Championships since the bronze medal in 2005 in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and now secures silver.
It was the much-anticipated goalkeeper duel between Lindbom and Czech goalkeeper Tomas Suchanek, both of whom have excelled in every game for their country. The shots on goal fell 31:22 in favor of the Czechs.
The Czechs’ only loss in the group stage at these World Juniors was a 2-3 loss to Sweden. Jansson, Sweden’s most prolific defender, scored the winner following 1:35 of extra time in the preliminary round. After 1:39 minutes in the second period, he also gave the Swedes the lead, which was almost enough.
The Czechs were pushing for an equalizer in the last few minutes when Suchan went wide in favor of a sixth outfield player just three minutes from time. It finally paid off with the equalizer. In extra time, Suchanek saved the game several times. In the first minute he parried a shot from Filip Bystedt. A few minutes later, the Czech goalkeeper had to use all his skills once more and thus made the happy ending possible for his colors.
USA – Canada 2:6 (2:1/0:3/0:2)
Canada fought back from a 2-0 deficit to a 6-2 win over the USA to advance to Thursday’s final at 7:30pm ET (Fri. 0:30am CET; MagentaSport). The game took place in front of 10,636 spectators at Halifax’s Scotiabank Centre, which is a stadium record.
Canada saved a multitude of shots and benefited from two goals disallowed following a video check due to goalkeeper interference. The star of the game was Canada’s goalkeeper Thomas Milic, who conceded a goal from the 11th minute onwards, although the USA dominated the game for long stretches.
The goal shot ratio at the end was 45:37 in favor of the Americans. Sole defender and captain Luke Hughes had nine shots on goal but failed to get past the Canadian goalkeeper.
“We had some really good chances throughout the game,” lamented Hughes. “We mightn’t convert ours and they converted theirs. We lost and that sucks. But we have a chance to win a medal tomorrow. And that’s important. So we have to prepare for that.”
Top star Connor Bedard recorded a goal and an assist for Canada, but for once he wasn’t the dominant player. In addition to Milic, the focus was on his strike partner Joshua Roy, who contributed two goals and two assists.
“I think it was a great game to beat USA,” said Roy. “They were the team we wanted to beat and we were 2-0 down. And then we came back and the crowd was amazing. It was just a great moment for us. We didn’t panic.”
With just 79 seconds into the game, the USA scored following a faceoff won in the Canadian zone. Ryan Ufko fired a shot that deflected several times before Logan Cooley’s rebound was pocketed.
The US continued to press Canada, controlling the puck and moving it with a confidence the hosts lacked. So it was not surprising that the Americans scored once more, this time from the margin. Charlie Stramel shot, Milic was able to parry with the bat, but the puck went straight to Kenny Connors, who took the second chance.
A little over a minute later, Canada suddenly hit back and got on track. Bedard, who else! He deflected an Ethan del Mastro shot past Trey Augustine’s blocker and into the net. It was Bedard’s ninth goal of the tournament.
This new life led to more goals in the second half, starting with the equalizer following just 47 seconds. After another faceoff won by Logan Stankoven, who has the best win rate of the tournament, the puck made its way to Roy. Roy’s shot was blocked by Augustine, but Stankoven pocketed the rebound.
Shortly therefollowing, Adam Fantilli, who had scored just one goal in the tournament before, hit the post and at the other end Milic made a great save from Cooley’s shot. Then Milic fended off the breached Chaz Lucius. Fantilli did better at the other end, converting a beautiful Zach Dean pass to put Canada ahead.
A minute later, Milic parried a close-range Jimmy Snuggerud shot with his glove and was lucky when the USA’s equalizer was soon disallowed on video evidence. Canada, meanwhile, extended their lead to 4-2 when Roy converted a pass from Stankoven following 32:20. The game was back and forth now.
After just 38 seconds in the third period, the Americans were denied another goal due to a goalkeeper obstruction following video evidence. Two minutes later, Rutger McGroarty shot the puck once morest the post on a power play. Milic was lucky once more following that, he was able to save his puck loss behind his own goal with a save once morest Cutter Gauthier, who already had the empty goal in front of him. And once more Canada responded to this big chance with a goal. Brandt Clarke conquered the puck in the slot and scored with a high shot to make it 5:2.
The last hope for the USA was a late power play, but Roy stole the puck at the American blue line and put it into the empty net at 56:45 to finally seal the win.
