The 2025 World Junior Championship will wrap up today with the medal-round games. The United States is looking to repeat as gold medal winners for the first time in program history, while Finland looks to win its first gold medal since 2019 (it beat the United States). In the bronze medal game, Czechia takes on Sweden, and the Czechs are also trying to win bronze for the second year in a row.
Czechia vs Sweden (3:30 p.m.)
How Czechia Got Here
- 5-1 win vs Switzerland (Dec. 26)
- 14-2 win vs Kazakhstan (Dec. 28)
- 4-2 win vs Slovakia (Dec. 29)
- 4-2 loss vs Sweden (Dec. 31)
- Quarterfinals: 4-3 win vs Canada (Jan. 2)
- Semifinals: 4-1 loss vs United States (Jan. 4)
How Sweden Got Here
- 5-2 win vs Slovakia (Dec. 26)
- 8-1 win vs Kazakhstan (Dec. 27)
- 7-5 win vs Switzerland (Dec. 29)
- 4-2 win vs Czechia (Dec. 31)
- Quarterfinals: 3-2 win vs Latvia (Jan. 2)
- Semifinals: 4-3 loss vs Finland (OT) (Jan. 4)
A rematch from New Year’s Eve, where Sweden pulled off a 4-2 victory to claim the top spot in Group B, this is a game neither team was hoping to be in heading into the semifinals, but it will be an excellent game no matter what. Sweden had high aspirations of getting to the gold medal game to try and win their first gold since 2012 but came up short against Finland. Melker Thelin (Utah Hockey Club) will need to get back on track for the Swedes after an up-and-down game against the Finns. Players like Anton Wahlberg (Buffalo Sabres), Victor Eklund, and Axel Sandin Pellikka (Detroit Red Wings) will be ones to watch. Eklund has continued to make his case as to why he should be considered one of the top prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft. The Swedes will have something to prove in the game as they try to medal for the second consecutive year.
Czechia comes into the game after a hard-fought battle with the United States. They are a team that puts plenty of pressure on their opponents with a relentless forecheck and will do whatever it takes to win a game. Jakub Stancl (St. Louis Blues) continues to put on a show with the puck on his stick, scoring a tournament-leading six goals after his lone tally in the loss to the United States. Like the Americans, they will be looking to avenge their only loss in preliminary round play against Sweden and will undoubtedly continue to play their hard-nosed game, mixed in with skill to go along with it.
Favorite: Sweden
Players to…
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