The Ice Hockey World Championship in the Czech Republic ended with the host team triumphing – the Czech Republic particularly likes to triumph in its own country. The decisive goal was scored seconds before the end of the game.
In the cauldron of Prague, the Czech Republic won the final 2-0 (0-0, 0-0, 2-0) against Switzerland. NHL star David Pastrnak (50th) and David Kämpf (60th) with a goal into the empty net shot the 1998 Olympic champions to the title in front of more than 17,000 ecstatic spectators.
The Czech Republic is world champion for the 13th time – at least if you count the six titles won by Czechoslovakia. The Czech Republic last won the world championship in Germany in 2010. And Czech ice hockey players especially like to celebrate in their own country: it was the fourth Czech triumph in Prague after 1947, 1972 and 1985.
Third final, third defeat – Switzerland must continue to wait
The Swiss, including NHL pros Roman Josi and Kevin Fiala, who was named the tournament’s best player, will have to wait a while longer for a World Cup title. After 2013 and 2018, it was the third final defeat for the Swiss. Sweden had previously won bronze with a 3-2 win in the match for third place against Canada.
The Czechs’ power hockey, as in the 7:3 semi-final against Sweden, was rarely seen in the first 20 minutes. As in the 3:1 quarter-final against Germany and the semi-final victory against Canada, the Swiss defense was in top form. Coach Patrick Fischer’s team had the best opportunity to do so: a shot from Christoph Bertschy hit the post (17th minute).
Pastrnak makes the difference
The Czechs also tried to put the Swiss team under pressure in the second period. The defense around star defender Josi from the Nashville Predators held up well. Good scoring opportunities only came in the final phase. Led by Pastrnak from the Boston Bruins, the Czechs turned up the heat more and more. Kämpf failed to score on the outside post, his teammates on the Swiss keeper Leonardo Genoni. The 36-year-old goalkeeper was, as he had been throughout the tournament, the Swiss’s great support.
In the group match, the Swiss won 2-1 after a penalty shootout, the defense dominated on both sides. Pastrnak was still active in the NHL playoffs at the time. In the final, the superstar made the difference: his shot landed in the net ten minutes before the end to make it 1-0.
Switzerland tried everything not to lose their third World Cup final. Goalie Lukas Dostal saved his team from conceding a goal. Kämpf made the Czechs’ 13th World Cup triumph perfect a few seconds before the end.
One nation watches the World Cup final – Public Viewing in Prague
Sweden beats Canada and wins World Cup bronze
Previously, Sweden had won the small final at the Ice Hockey World Championships and won the bronze medal. The Swedes beat Canada 4:2 (1:0, 0:1, 3:1) after an exciting match. Carl Grundström had put the Scandinavians in the lead (13th minute), before Dylan Cozens (23rd minute) and Pierre-Luc Dubois (45th minute) scored for Canada.
Canada without a medal for the first time since 2018
But the Swedes also know how to turn games around. Erik Karlsson (50th), Carl Grundström again (54th) and Marcus Johannson (60th) scored another three goals and secured the medal for the Swedes, who had entered the tournament with their best team in years.
Sweden, the undefeated winner of preliminary group B and the supposed favorite to win gold, lost 3:7 to the Czech Republic in the semifinals. It is the first medal since the 2018 World Cup triumph in Denmark. Record world champions Canada, who lost 2:3 to Switzerland on penalties in the semifinals, were left without a medal for the first time since 2018.