Sweden defeated Czechia 4-2 in the World Junior Championship final on Monday night to secure its third gold medal in tournament history and first since 2012.
The Swedes found the back of the net in each period as Love Harenstam stopped 25 of 27 shots from Czechia for the victory at the Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Czechia pulled to within one late in the game with quick goals from Adam Jiricek and Matej Kubiesa in the final two and half minutes with their net empty.
Casper Juustovaara opened the scoring with a short-handed tally late in the first period before Victor Eklund scored on the power play at the 9:21 mark of the second.
Winnipeg Jets prospect Sascha Boumedienne gave Sweden full control of the game with a goal early in the third period.
Ivar Stenberg sealed the game with an empty netter at the 19:52 mark of the third.
Sweden controlled most of the game, outshooting the Czechs 35-27.
Czechia had their opportunities, but went 0-for-4 with the man advantage.
Czechia defeated Canada 6-4 on Sunday to advance to the gold medal game while Sweden downed rival Finland 4-3 in overtime in the other semifinal.
Sweden has now won the World Junior Championship on three occasions, adding to gold medal performances in 1981 and 2012.
Both teams came into Monday’s final with long gold medal droughts at the World Juniors.
Czechia won their two gold medals in back-to-back years in 2000 and 2001.