This was something else! The Czech team, after losing in the semi-finals, had to quickly regroup, which they did. Against Sweden, the team, coached by Patrik Augusta, put in a concentrated performance, highlighted by the outstanding goaltending of Michael Hrabal. The game was a nail-biter, going all the way to a shootout, which took a long time. Ultimately, the drama worked out well for the Czech Republic, and they won the bronze medal! The United States junior team became world champions again, just one year after their victory.
Key moment of the game: Eda Šalé's winning shootout goal!
Player of the game: Michael Hrabal was named player of the game for his outstanding performance in goal, especially during the shootout. Well deserved.
Game statistics: A simple statistic: third consecutive medal at the junior championship.
What's next: This game marked the end of the championship for the Czech team. But it's a game that will be remembered!
Sweden – Czech Republic 2:3 SO (1:1, 1:1, 0:0 - 0:1)
Goals and assists: 13. Edstrom (Unger Sörum, Sandin-Pellikka), 36. Edstrom (Unger Sörum, Wahlberg) – 4. Štancl (Jecho, Jiříček), 30. Šalé (Holinka), winning shootout goal: Šalé
Sweden: Gidlöf (Thelin) – Bergqvist, Sandin-Pellikka (C), Lindstein (A), Willander, Gustafsson, Hallquisth, Hurtig – Stenberg, Edstrom (A), Unger Sörum – Wahlberg, Nilsson, Eklund – Hedqvist, Forsfjäll, Granberg – Vuollet, Eriksson, Nordh – Träff
Czech Republic: Hrabal (Kavan) – Galvas, Husinecký, Dvořák, Jiříček, Fibigr, Port, Kočí – Šalé (C), Holinka, Maštalířský (A) – Sikora, Hradec (A), Štancl – Novotný, Felcman, Jecho – Kos, Petr, Židlický – Čihař
The U.S. hockey team defeated Finland 4-3 in overtime to defend their title from last year in Gothenburg. Overall, they are celebrating their seventh gold medal in history. They continued the success of 2004, 2010, 2013, 2017, and 2021. Finland's attempt for a sixth title and their first since 2019 was unsuccessful. However, they earned their first medal in three years since the silver medal from Edmonton.
USA - Finland 4:3 OT (1:2, 2:1, 0:0 - 1:0)
Goals and assists: 13. Hagens (G. Perreault, Leonard), 38. Svoboda (Plante, C. Hutson), 40. C. Hutson (Leonard, Buium), 69. Stiga (Buium, Ziemer) - 8. Kiiskinen (Hemming, Hynninen), 14. Uronen (Alasiurua, Hemming), 25. Pieniniemi (Ruohonen, Nurmi). Referees: Campbell (Can.), Holm (Swe.) - Davis (USA), Hautamäki (Fin.). Penalties: 2:1. Power play goals: 0:1. Attendance: 16,822.
USA: Augustine - Fortescue, Buium, C. Hutson, Kleber, Ralph, Hensler, Minnetian - G. Perreault, Hagens, Leonard - Moore, Nelson, Ziemer - Connelly, Terrance, Stiga - Burnevik, Svoboda, Plante - Eiserman. Coach: Carle.
Finland: Rimpinen - Kiviharju, Pieniniemi, M. Jokinen, D. Nieminen, Tuhkala, Väisänen, Kangas - Rautiainen, K. Helenius, Hynninen - Kiiskinen, Ruohonen, Nurmi - Halttunen, Miettinen, Kumpulainen - Uronen, Alasiurua, Hemming. Coach: Mikkola.
Final Ranking: 1. USA, 2. Finland, 3. Czech Republic, 4. Sweden, 5. Canada, 6. Slovakia, 7. Latvia, 8. Switzerland, 9. Germany, 10. Kazakhstan (relegated). Denmark advanced from Group A, Division I.
The International Ice Hockey Federation announced the winners of the individual awards and the All-Star team for the tournament after the gold medal game at the 2025 World Junior Championship.
Ryan Leonard was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP). The American captain, who scored five goals and had five assists in the tournament, received the inaugural Murray Costello MVP award for the World Junior Championship. Costello, a long-time member of the IIHF Council and former president of Hockey Canada, passed away in the summer of 2024 at the age of 90. In recognition of his many accomplishments, the IIHF decided to rename the MVP award in his honor. The first official presentation was made by Jim Costello, Murray's son.
"As a lifetime member of the IIHF and a member of the IIHF Hall of Fame, Murray had such a significant impact on hockey in Canada and around the world during his career," said IIHF President Luc Tardif before the 2025 final in Ottawa, Canada.
IIHF Directorate Awards
Best Goaltender: Petteri Rimpinen, Finland
Best Defenseman: Axel Sandin Pellikka, Sweden
Best Forward: Ryan Leonard, USA
Media All-Star Team and MVP
Goaltender: Petteri Rimpinen, Finland
Defenseman: Cole Hutson, USA
Defenseman: Axel Sandin Pellikka, Sweden
Forward: Ryan Leonard, USA
Forward: Jakub Štancl, Czech Republic
Forward: Gabe Perreault, USA
Most Valuable Player: Ryan Leonard, USA
Czech Hockey / IIHF / gnews.cz - RoZ
PHOTO - Facebook Czech Hockey, IIHF
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