Czech Republic into gold medal game after stunning Sweden late
Breakout blueliner David Jiricek tied Wednesday’s semifinal with just 39 seconds left in regulation before Jiri Kulich scored the game-winner late in overtime as the Czech Republic edged Sweden in dramatic fashion to advance to the gold medal game at the 2023 World Juniors.
Ludvig Jansson scored the only goal for Sweden, which looked set to advance to its first gold medal game since 2018 until a third-period barrage from the Czechs forced the Swedes on their heels before Jiricek ripped a one-timer through the legs of netminder Carl Lindbom to give the Czech Republic new life.
A damn celly here too.
Both teams had their chances to end it during a tense 9-plus minutes of 3-on-3 overtime, with Sweden coming within literal inches of a finals spot, almost squeaking one through the wickets by Czech goalkeeper Tomas Suchanek — who made 21 saves for the Czech Republic in the win.
Kulich sent the Czech Republic to their first gold medal match in 22 years when he cut hard to the net from his off-wing with less than a minute remaining in the extra frame and slotted past Lindbom for his fifth goal of the tournament – and arguably the biggest of his career so far.
The wild win gives the Czechs their first place in the World Juniors final since 2001, when they claimed the country’s last gold medal – and captured back-to-back tournament titles after also winning it in 2000. With the oldest player in this Czech squad born in 2003 not living a single member of this team even when the Czech Republic won last time.
The Czech Republic will look to put a cherry on top of their improbable run when they face the winner of the United States and host and defending champion Canada, who meet in the other semi-final on Wednesday night.
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