Canucks prospects Elias Pettersson and Jonathan Lekkerimäki’s Team Sweden fall to the Czech Republic in the World Juniors semifinals
The Czech Republic and Sweden certainly lived up to the World Juniors semi-final hype.
Wednesday afternoon’s semifinal matchup was the first of two games on the schedule to determine who will play for gold. The game remained scoreless after one period with the Czechs edging the Swedes in the shooting department nine to six.
But in the second period things started to go Sweden’s way. Defenseman Ludvig Jansson rocketed a one-timer from the blue line that went through the legs of Czech Republic forward Jaroslav Chemlar and past goalkeeper Tomas Suchanek. Noah Ostlund and Canucks prospect Elias Pettersson picked up the assist on the play.
The third period was tense and Sweden seemed ready to reach the final. However, Columbus Blue Jackets prospect David Jiricek had other plans. After a late icing by Pettersson, Jiricek fired a shot past Swedish goalkeeper Carl Lindbom with just 38 seconds left in the game. Jiricek’s fifth goal of the tournament gave the Czech Republic new life. It should be noted that goalkeeper Carl Lindbom was only 38 seconds away from getting his third shutout of the tournament. A static line that puts him with names like Canada’s Justin Pogge, Devon Levi and the USA’s Spencer Knight.
With the game, the two teams tied heading into overtime tied at one apiece. Suchanek made a brilliant save when Sweden’s Filip Bystedt came knocking on the door in the opening minutes. But it was Buffalo Sabers prospect and current Rochester American Jiri Kulich who snapped a shot from the right wing and beat Lindholm with 9:10 left in overtime. Kulich’s fifth goal of the tournament helped the Czech Republic reach the gold medal game for the first time since they won back-to-back golds in 2000 and 2001.
Forward Jonathan Lekkerimäki was listed as the 13th forward heading into today’s match. He played a handful of shifts, logged 4:24 of ice time and managed to get a nice two-touch pass to Isak Rosen in the third but couldn’t capitalize. However, Pettersson played a stronger match. He logged 19:32 of ice time; picked up an apple, had a shot blocked and even saved what could have been a wrap-around goal after a miss by Lindbom. Pettersson now has three assists this tournament. Both players will play for bronze.