Sweden sends reigning champions out

Both teams started the game in a defensive manner, being aware of a potentially catastrophic consequences of any mistakes made in the semifinals of World Championships. Czech Republic entered the game without the injured Martin Havlat, causing a minor reshuffle in offensive lines.

Patrik Elias opened the scoring 46 seconds into the second period with a close range rebound and broke the deadlock to the joy of a majority of the spectators inside Orange Arena. However, Czech lead did not last long. At 24:35, Sweden converted the very first power-play of the game thanks to Patrik Berglund’s slapshot.

Both teams threatened on breakaways, but Elias and Persson could not finish their chances. Mikael Backlund then turned the game around after 35 minutes with a beautiful wristshot going in through a defender. Sweden dominated the closing stages of the second period and led 2-1 after two periods.

Photo: Roman Kucera

Early in the third period, Voracek and Rolinek found some space in an otherwise precise Swedish defense, but could not find an equalizer. Instead, Jimmie Ericsson increased the Swedish lead finishing a 3-on-1 breakaway with a low shot between the pads of Ondrej Pavelec. Shortly afterwards, Krüger’s effort was stopped by a post.

But Marcus Krüger was not to be denied. Another quick breakaway was led by Tedenby, who circled the Czech goal and Kruger was on hand to tap in a rebound to make it 4-1. Patrik Elias scored his second goal of the game with a slapshot from the slot to lower the goal deficit, but it was too late for the Czechs and Patrik Berglund put a stamp on Swedish promotion with an empty net goal in the last minute.

"I don't think it was an upset," said Sweden's Robert Nilsson said after the game. "They had a lot of good chances, but we were on the right side of the puck, and our goalie (Viktor Fasth) was outstanding, as always."

Czech head coach Alois Hadamczic was disappointed after the game "I was convinced that we would beat the Swedes. We made bad mistakes in the 2nd period. We did not make so many mistakes during the whole tournament here. We took too much risk, we played to offensively", he said. Jaromir Jagr said: "We have won all the games until today, but we are the last team, which can complain about the tournament system, because last year we won the whole thing thanks to the same system".

Sweden kept its extremely good balance against the Czech Republic in World Championships play-offs, not losing a game in regular time since 1992.

Photo: Roman Kucera

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