Sweden tops the Czech Republic in the Group A world thriller for juniors
Sweden has helped keep things spicy in Group A, beating the Czech Republic 3-2 in extra time on Thursday.
The win puts Sweden in first place in Group A with eight points, while the Czech Republic’s loss keeps them in second place with seven. The Swedes can clinch the group stage with a win over Canada in the final round-robin match on December 31, while the Czechs can clinch a top-two spot with a win over Germany on Saturday.
Sweden was without two key players: Leo Carlsson and Fabian Lysell. Carlsson, a top 2023 draft prospect, was pulled after warmups due to a suspected illness. Then, after just one season, Lysell, a Boston Bruins prospect, was also pulled without reason outright.
However, the Czech Republic was at full strength and David Jiricek managed to open the scoring at 23:12. After Petr Hauser fought past a defender to set up a scoring chance, he found Jiricek — a Columbus Blue Jackets pick — in front, and Jiricek made no mistake tapping in the shot.
The lead lasted just two minutes when Fabian Wagner put a quick wrist shot past Tomas Suchanek to tie the game at one. Just 90 seconds later, Ludvig Jansson’s point shot blew past Suchanek and gave Sweden the lead.
The advantage lasted until the 54th minute of the contest. Sweden’s group was tired after consecutive ice-outs, and the Czechs made their passing game look easy. Eventually, defender Jiri Tichacek scored his first goal of any kind this season, picking up Matyas Sapovaliv’s pass for the 2-2 goal – a big goal late on.
The game went into overtime, giving both teams a valuable point. But the extra point went to Sweden after Jansson rushed in and fought off a defensive attempt to hit Suchanek, handing the Czechs their first loss of the tournament.