Sweden beats Czechia to end 5-year WJHC final drought

Host Sweden will play for gold for the first time since 2018 after defeating Czechia 5-2 in the semifinal of the World Junior Hockey Championship on Thursday.

The victory served as a form of revenge against the Czechs, who eliminated the Swedes in the semis in overtime a year ago.

Thursday's game was even through two periods before Sweden broke through with three unanswered goals in the final frame. Jonathan Lekkerimaki was a catalyst for the Swedes, scoring a pair of goals - including the game-winner - in the victory.

Czechia opened the scoring 6:55 into the game when Matyas Melovsky shovelled one through Hugo Havelid's pads. Sweden responded less than five minutes later when Theo Lindstein's shot from the point trickled past Michael Hrabal's glove and into the net.

Axel Sandin Pellikka, Sweden's overtime hero from the quarters, gave his team the lead early in the second period when he shot from the point and the puck again got by Hrabal's glove hand. Tomas Cibulka responded for Czechia when his power-play one-timer sent the puck - again - between Havelid's legs. Havelid settled in after that, though, ending the game with 20 saves on 22 shots.

Lekkerimaki's power-play blast put Sweden ahead 5:14 into the third period. Noah Ostlund added a key insurance marker on a breakaway with eight minutes left in regulation, beating Hrabal with a slick backhand deke. A minute later, Lekkerimaki added his second tally after he was left alone in the slot.

Sweden lost in that 2018 final to Canada. Tre Kronor hasn't won gold at the tournament since 2012.

Czechia's bid for a second straight final appearance - and a shot at its first gold since repeat victories in 2000 and 2001 - ends. However, the team can still win bronze and medal in back-to-back years for the first time since 2000-01.