After surprising Canada in the quarterfinals, the Czech Republic tried to take the lead again at the Junior Ice Hockey World Championship on Thursday, but Sweden held on with a 5-2 win and advanced to the final.
Sweden will face the USA, who beat Finland in the other semifinal, in their final game.
Buoyed by the partisan crowd in Gothenburg, the Swedes started with three goals in the third period. The opponents held out in the first 40 minutes, initially took the lead and equalized the score to 2-2 in the middle of the second third.
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At the beginning of the third period everything collapsed for the Czechs. Ales Cech received a minor penalty for double checking and Jonathan Lekkerimaki quickly rewarded him with a powerful slap shot on the power play.
Patrik Augusta's team tried to come back, but instead revealed gaps to the Swedes. Noah Ostlund made the final score 4-2 by scoring on a breakaway with no red jerseys nearby. His celebration, a famous “dab,” was worth it.
Lekkerimaki confirmed his team's victory a minute later with his second success of the game. Theo Lindstein and Axel Sandin Pellikka were the other Swedish goalscorers.
The Czech Republic will play against Finland for the bronze medal on Friday.
Norway was relegated
In the relegation game, Germany secured their place in the elite group and participation in the next World Cup in Ottawa next year.
They also beat Norway 5-4 in extra time. This means the Scandinavian country returns to the lower league, from which it was promoted last year.
It was Moritz Elias who played the hero in extra time. The German striker hit the top of the net with an excellent wrist shot from Markus Stensrud.
In the winning camp, striker Veit Oswald and defender Phillip Sinn each scored a goal and two assists. Mats Bakke Olsen led the Norwegian team with two wins, including the one that sent everyone into extra time.