Kulich scores in overtime as Czech Republic beats Sweden to advance to World Junior Finals
HALIFAX — David Jiricek tied the game with 39 seconds left in regulation and Jiri Kulich scored in overtime Wednesday as the Czech Republic came back to beat Sweden 2-1 and advance to the World Junior Hockey Championship final.
HALIFAX — David Jiricek tied the game with 39 seconds left in regulation and Jiri Kulich scored in overtime Wednesday as the Czech Republic came back to beat Sweden 2-1 and advance to the World Junior Hockey Championship final.
Ludvig Jansson scored in the second period for Sweden, who looked set to advance to the golden game for the first time since 2018.
Jiricek gave Czechia life when he ripped a shot from just outside the left face-off circle past Swedish goalkeeper Carl Lindbom with time on the clock.
Kulich sent the Czech Republic to the tournament final when he cut in from the right wing and beat Lindbom 9:10 into the extra frame for his fifth goal of the tournament.
Tomas Suchanek made 21 saves for the Czech Republic, while Lindbom stopped 29 shots for Sweden.
The Czech Republic advanced to the gold medal game for the first time since winning back-to-back titles in 2000 and 2001.
Hosts and defending champions Canada faced the United States in the other semi-final.
Earlier on Wednesday, Latvia beat Austria 4-2 to sweep the best-of-three relegation series.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on January 4, 2023.
The Canadian Press