Sweden tops Czechia for third world junior championship

Sweden captured its third world junior ice hockey championship on Monday night in St. Paul, Minnesota, defeating Czechia 4-2 in the gold medal game. Viktor Eklund and Casper Juustovaara provided first-period goals to set the pace, while Sascha Boumedienne’s third-period strike pushed the lead to 3-0. Ivar Stenberg added an empty-net goal with eight seconds remaining to seal the victory.

This marked Sweden’s first title since 2012, adding to their 1981 win and making it the first all-European final since that year. Czechia, seeking a third straight appearance in the final after titles in 2000 and 2001, mounted a late rally but fell short.

Sweden’s road to gold

Sweden entered the tournament with strong expectations, bolstered by a talented roster that included NHL prospects. Their journey culminated in a semifinal win over a familiar opponent, as detailed in our coverage of how Czechia and Sweden advance to world junior championship final.

Early projections highlighted the depth of Swedish talent, from SHL standouts to emerging defensemen, as outlined in our Sweden 2026 World Junior Championship roster projection. The team delivered, using balanced scoring and stout defense to navigate the round-robin and knockout stages.

The first period set the tone perfectly. Eklund, a first-round pick of the New York Islanders at No. 16 in the 2025 NHL Draft, opened the scoring with a sharp wrist shot. He led all Swedish juniors in goals and points last season, living up to the hype as the brother of San Jose Sharks forward William Eklund.

Juustovaara followed suit soon after, capitalizing on a Czech turnover to extend the lead. Sweden’s forecheck overwhelmed the opposition, limiting high-danger chances and controlling puck possession.

Defenseman Sascha Boumedienne provided insurance at 3:47 of the third, roofing a shot from the slot. Goaltending remained rock-solid throughout, turning aside key shots during Czechia’s push.

Stenberg’s empty-netter with eight seconds left ensured no late drama, capping a clinical performance.

Standout performers and key moments

Sweden’s success relied on contributions across the lineup. Here’s a look at the top contributors:

• Viktor Eklund: Goal in the first; Islanders prospect with NHL pedigree.
• Casper Juustovaara: Early second goal; showcased forward depth.
• Sascha Boumedienne: Third-period game-winner; defensive poise.
• Ivar Stenberg: Empty-net clincher; timely finish.

Eklund’s performance drew praise from scouts, building on his dominant SHL season. Boumedienne’s goal shifted momentum decisively, preventing any Czech comeback.

Czechia’s Vojtech Cihar shone brightest overall, earning tournament MVP with 12 points despite the loss. His playmaking led the Czech attack all event.

The game echoed Sweden’s 2012 triumph, blending skill with resilience. For full highlights, check the FloHockey recap.

Czechia’s resilient run ends in silver

Czechia entered the final after upsetting Canada in the semifinals, a gritty 6-4 win that promised fireworks. Adam Jiricek pulled one back mid-game, showing the blue-line talent that fueled their run.

Matej Kubiesa’s goal with 24 seconds left sparked brief hope, but Sweden iced it moments later. Despite the deficit, Czechia outshot Sweden in the third, testing the Swedish netminder repeatedly.

Cihar’s MVP nod underscored their threat, leading with vision and scoring touch. Past golds in 2000 and 2001 fueled belief, but execution faltered early.

The silver medal caps a promising tournament for a young squad. They’ll build on this for future NHL hopefuls.

Bronze medal battle: Canada over Finland

Canada claimed bronze with a 6-3 victory over Finland in the third-place game. Sam O’Reilly scored twice, powering the comeback.

Gavin McKenna tallied a goal and three assists, while Michael Hage dished four helpers. Defenseman Zayne Parekh set a Canadian record with 13 points (six goals, seven assists), eclipsing Alex Pietrangelo’s 2010 mark of 12.

Finland fought but couldn’t match Canada’s offensive surge late. The win salvaged a medal after semifinal exit.

Details from the USA Today highlights capture the intensity.

Legacy and NHL implications

Sweden’s third crown solidifies their place among junior powers. Past winners like the 2012 squad produced NHL stars; expect similar from this group.

Eklund headlines prospects with Islanders buzz, while Boumedienne eyes pro deals. Czechia’s Cihar and Jiricek project as top talents.

This all-European final revives continental rivalries. As these players turn pro, gold-medal experience will accelerate development.

Looking ahead, the 2027 tournament in next host city looms. Sweden’s triumph sets a high bar for contenders.