Sweden edges Czechia in Group A world juniors thriller

Sweden has helped to keep things spicy in Group A, beating Czechia 3-2 in overtime on Thursday.

The win gives Sweden first place in Group A with eight points, while Czechia’s loss keeps them in second with seven. The Swedes can win the group stage with a victory over Canada in the closing game of the round-robin on Dec. 31, while the Czechs can clinch a top-two spot with a win over Germany on Saturday..

Sweden found itself 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 a period, Lysell, a Boston Bruins prospect, was also pulled with no reason given right away.

Czechia was at full strength, though, and David Jiricek managed to open the scoring at 23:12. After Petr Hauser fought past a defender to create 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 for just two minutes when Fabian Wagner put a quick wrist shot past Tomas Suchanek, tying the game at one. Just 90 seconds later, Ludvig Jansson’s point shot blew past Suchanek to give Sweden the lead.

The advantage lasted until the 54th minute of the contest. Sweden’s group was tired after consecutive icings, and the Czechs made their passing plays look easy. Eventually, defenseman Jiri Tichacek scored his first goal of any form this season, taking Matyas Sapovaliv’s pass for the 2-2 goal – a huge one late in the going.

The game required 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 beat Suchanek, handing the Czechs their first loss of the tournament.