Sweden and Czechia will meet on Sunday for the second time at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, this time with the bronze medal on the line. Sweden arrives at this match after experiencing a narrow overtime decision defeat against Finland, finalizing their semifinal game at the Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday. The Swedish team, boasting a record of 5-0-1, will take on Czechia, who holds a 4-2-0 record after falling to the United States.
This matchup is significant for both teams. The Czechs are eager to clinch their third consecutive medal at the event, following previous successes. On the other hand, Sweden, who took home the silver medal last year, will look to end their tournament on a high note.
During the semifinal, Sweden's Wilhelm Hallquisth managed to pull his team even on the scoreboard by scoring at the 11:32 mark of the third period. Unfortunately for Sweden, Finland secured the win with a power-play goal just 9:22 minutes later, leading to its advancement to the championship final.
On the statistical front, Sweden's Otto Stenberg is notable, having netted two goals during their semifinal loss. Other standout players include defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka and forward Anton Wahlberg, each with four goals throughout the tournament. Notably, Sandin Pellikka leads his team with nine points overall. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Melker Thelin has faced their opponents with consistent performance, holding onto a save percentage of .885 and averaging 2.91 goals against over five matches.
Czechia also brings impressive talent to the ice, epitomized by Jakub Stancl, who scored the team’s only goal against the United States, tying the match at 9:28 of the first period. Stancl leads the Czechs with six goals and nine points, closely followed by Eduard Sale, who has recorded five goals. Michael Hrabel has guarded the net for Czechia, accumulating commendable stats of 2.63 GAA and .913 save percentage over his five game appearances.
This will be the second time these teams have clashed during the championship; Sweden previously triumphed over Czechia with a 4-2 victory during group play. That game saw Sweden explode offensively, scoring all its goals during the second period, including two goals within just 30 seconds.
Meanwhile, the main stage of the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship culminates with the final match pitting Team USA against Finland at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 5, 2025. This gold medal game also takes place at the Canadian Tire Centre and promises to be thrilling, especially with Team USA coming off its impressive semifinal win over Czechia.
The United States, fresh off its 4-1 victory against Czechia, is aiming for its second straight World Junior title and its seventh overall. The Americans were propelled to victory by their captain, Ryan Leonard, who recorded both a goal and an assist, showcasing his offensive prowess. The USA previously defeated Finland 3-2 during last year’s semifinal and is eager to avenge its only loss to them this year, where they fell 4-3 during their preliminary round matchup.
With momentum on their side, the Americans have shown resilience throughout the tournament. Following their preliminary setback against Finland, they’ve gone on to defeat some of the tournament’s strongest competitors, including Canada and Switzerland, making them favorites as they head to the final.
For viewers excited to watch these matches, various platforms are offering broadcasts. The bronze medal match between Sweden and Czechia will air on January 5 at 3:30 p.m. ET on NHL Network. Fans can also stream the game through Fubo, which is providing free trials and discounted subscriptions for new customers.
For those wanting to catch the much-anticipated gold medal showdown, Team USA’s clash with Finland will also be available on NHL Network for American viewers and on TSN1/4/5 for Canadian audiences, with streaming options accessible through the TSN app and Fubo.
This year's championship has been marked by electrifying performances, unforeseen turnarounds, and the fighting spirit of the young athletes. With both the bronze and gold medal matches carrying immense significance, the excitement continues to build as the teams gear up for their final challenges on the ice.