Surely the Swedes weren’t going to fully surrender that lead, even when Czechia scored a pair of extra-attacker goals?

“We all knew we were going to end up on top,” said defenseman Sascha Boumedienne. “We just had that feeling together. We just stuck together.”

The Swedes indeed stuck together, surviving that last-minute push from its opponent and defeated Czechia 4-2 to win the gold medal at the 2026 World Junior Championship in front of a crowd of 9,753 Monday night at Grand Casino Arena. Earlier in the evening, Canada won the bronze medal with a 6-3 win over Finland.

Sascha Boumedienne and Jack Berglund embrace in the postgame celebration on the ice at Grand Casino Arena. (MHM Photo / Rick Olson)

Sweden and Czechia also met for a medal in the 2025 World Junior Championship, with Czechia earning the bronze in a shootout.

In 50 years of the World Junior Championship, it’s the third time Sweden has won the gold medal, also winning in 1981 and 2012. Many players on the current Sweden roster were probably too young to remember that last gold medal for the country. Sweden also took silver in 2024, losing to the United States when the tournament was held in Gothenburg, Sweden.

“It’s special,” Boumedienne said. “This is the tournament everyone’s been watching since they were really, really small. It’s the third time we’ve done it, and being part of this group who did it is unreal.”

Though the result wasn’t the ultimate prize for Czechia, the program has shown consistent success in recent WJCs. Czechia won a medal for the fourth year in a row, bookended with two silvers and adding two bronze medals in between.

“It just says that even as a small country, we have great hockey players, and they are progressing,” said Czechia coach Patrik Augusta. “When we choose them to national teams, they represent the country and they do it very [well] the last four years.”

Their last gold medal in the tournament came back in 2001. Augusta told his players after Monday’s game to be proud and that they had a great tournament, even though they finished a little short of the ultimate prize.

“But before the tournament, if somebody would have told us that we would win the silver medal, we would take it,” Augusta said. “Our dreams were higher… hopefully if we work hard, we’ll get another chance.”

In Monday’s gold-medal game, Sweden, as the team had been throughout the tournament, was just too good for Czechia. Sweden went a perfect 7-0 in preliminary play and the medal round combined.

“They’re just so skilled with the puck,” said Czechia forward Adam Benak. “They skate good.

“Congrats to them, they played very well today.”  

Sweden was in control throughout the game, eventually doubling up Czechia in shots on goal at one point as it built a lead that eventually went to 3-0 before Czechia’s late rally.

Sweden’s Casper Juustovaara and Jack Berglund celebrate a shorthanded goal to give Sweden a 1-0 lead. (MHM Photo / Rick Olson)

The first period was scoreless for about 15 minutes until Sweden capitalized with a shorthanded goal that also came on a delayed penalty. Sweden’s Casper Juustovaara had his stick slashed out of his hands at the Czechia blue line, drawing the call. But he picked up his lumber, then went to the front of the net while his team possessed the puck. Jack Berglund had the puck behind the net and fed Juustovaara, who had a wide-open net to bury the puck after Czechia goaltender Michal Orsulak was out of position after making an earlier save.

Sweden seemed to get better as the game went on, with a stifling forecheck and defense, not allowing much time or space for Czechia. Sweden doubled its lead about halfway through the second period on a power-play goal from Victor Eklund as he buried the puck on a backdoor rebound.

“I think Sweden played better from the beginning,” Augusta said. “Our legs weren’t going. It took a lot of energy out of us, the game against Canada. Not even physique but mentally, too, and emotions.”

Through two periods, Czechia trailed 2-0 and was getting outshot 28-11.

Sweden made it 3-0 less than four minutes into the third period with what turned out to be the only five-on-five goal of the game and the eventual game-winner. Boumedienne didn’t miss on his shot from the circle on a feed from Ivar Stenberg along the blue line.

Time continued to tick away without a Czechia goal. But with 3:20 left in regulation and an offensive-zone faceoff looming, Czechia pulled the goalie for an extra attacker. They cycled the puck and got on the board 56 seconds later with a goal from Adam Jiricek.

Then it became a one-goal game with 23.3 seconds remaining as Matej Kubiesa’s fluttering shot up high hit the back of the net to make it 3-2. Czechia took a timeout with tying the game suddenly very much in play.

But Stenberg, who already had two assists, scored an empty-netter with exactly eight seconds on the clock to figuratively put the gold medals around the necks of Sweden players. The Sweden bench was a mob of yellow jerseys jumping up and down together before Stenberg also joined the pile.

“That was nice. Really nice,” Stenberg said. “That’s something you dream about… I’m so happy. That goal was really nice.”

Czechia forward Adam Benak finished the tournament with eight points. (MHM Photo / Rick Olson)

Minnesota Wild prospect Benak wins silver medal with Czechia
Benak, an 18-year-old forward, had one shot on goal and drew an interference penalty after taking a hit along the boards in the second period of Monday’s game. He was one of two Minnesota Wild prospects in the tournament, having been selected in the fourth round (102nd overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Benak scored a goal and seven assists and was a plus-4 in six games during the tournament.

One of his best games was in the semifinal 6-4 victory over Canada. He put Czechia ahead 3-2 in the final minute of the second period with his goal, plus he added a pair of assists in the game. Without hesitation, Benak said that victory over Canada was amazing and his stand-out memory from the tournament.

“I’ve never been that happy like ever,” Benak said. “It was such a good feeling. Sadly, it didn’t happen tonight, but I’m super proud.”

Gallery: WJC Gold-Medal Game Czechia vs. Sweden

The post Skilled Sweden Wins Gold appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

The post Gallery: WJC Gold-Medal Game Czechia vs. Sweden appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

It started with a complete one-goal game between Sweden and Finland. Offense, great goaltending and a close contest throughout that didn’t get a result until a shootout.

“Two outstanding teams playing there,” said Finland captain Aron Kiviharju. “I am 100% sure that everybody watching this game today, whether you were here or from the television or whatever it was, I think this was one of the craziest hockey games I’ve ever witnessed.”

The afternoon semifinal between Sweden and Finland needed a shootout to decide which team would move on to the gold-medal game on Monday. Sweden’s Anton Frondell scored in the eighth round of the shootout for the 4-3 victory over Finland.

Sweden returns to the gold-medal game for the first time since 2024 when it lost to the United States. They’ll face Czechia, which defeated Canada 6-4 in the second semifinal. Meanwhile, Finland will play for a bronze medal Monday.

Kiviharju recorded an assist in the semifinal loss to Sweden. (MHM Photo / Rick Olson)

“It’s unfinished business, that’s it,” Kiviharju said. “We’re going to take care that we get the bronze medal. Just try to figure out a way.”

Kiviharju, a 19-year-old defenseman, is captain of the Finland team, and he’s a fourth-round draft pick of the Minnesota Wild. The NHL club selected him 122nd overall in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Draft. He was also on the Finland squad that lost the gold-medal game to the United States in the 2025 World Junior Championship; Kiviharju had three assists in seven games in that tournament.

Sunday’s game against Sweden was a rematch of last year’s semifinals, which also went beyond regulation and finished with a 4-3 result. In 2025, Finland prevailed with 38 seconds left in overtime.

This year, Kiviharju spoke after the semifinal loss about what a privilege and honor it is to wear the Finland jersey, represent his country and wear the “C” as the captain.

“That’s the thing you dream of when you’re a kid watching these games,” Kiviharju said. “To get to represent the country you’ve grown up in, the country you love…

“Plus that, wearing a “C” letter on your chest, it’s a huge honor. I try to do everything, every day to make it worth it.”

This year’s semifinal at Grand Casino Arena was filled with exciting hockey and remained a one-goal game until the end. Sweden took a 1-0 lead only 36 seconds into the game when Linus Eriksson’s shot popped off the Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen’s glove and into the net.

But later in the period, Finland tied the game on a long shot by Atte Joki. Kiviharju assisted on the play.

Sweden regained the lead early in the second period, just 1 minute, 20 seconds in, on a delayed Finland penalty when a shot from the slot made it through traffic. Don’t blink, because Finland responded only 50 seconds later with a favorable-bounce goal when a puck came down from high in the air, settling behind Sweden’s goaltender Love Harenstam and ending up in the net.

Sweden grabbed its third one-goal lead by the second intermission later in the period when Eddie Genborg scored. This one came on a play with a favorable bounce for Sweden. But Finland tied the game 3-3 with about six minutes left in regulation when Joona Saarelainen pounced on a rebound in front and settled the bouncing puck into the net.

Kiviharju gets tangled with a Sweden player in Sunday’s semifinal game at Grand Casino Arena. (MHM Photo / Rick Olson)

Finland forced overtime, which almost seemed fitting for such an exciting game. The format is three-on-three for 10 minutes, followed by a five-round, and then sudden-death, shootout.

Sweden looked like the more aggressive team in the overtime period. Viggo Bjorck alone had four grade-A scoring chances, usually on breakaways. But he was also called for a slashing minor penalty with 2:03 left in overtime. The four-on-three power play for Finland took over in the offensive zone for nearly the entire man advantage. But they put on a passing clinic rather than attempt to pepper the net with shots.

The two notable chances for Finland both came from Kiviharju. With 1:18 left, his shot found the glove of Harenstam. Then with 35.2 remaining in the overtime, Kiviharju clinked a shot off the crossbar, looking toward the rafters knowing what might have been.

Finland had its opportunity to end the game, but instead it went to a shootout. One player from each team scored in the five rounds. Then after two unsuccessful rounds, Frondell scored the winning goal for Sweden.

“Not the result we wanted, not the ending we wanted, but at the end of the day, it was, it was a hell of a hockey game,” Kiviharju said. “You got to give credit to Sweden. They did their job really well. Obviously they, I think, deserved to win.

“At the end of the day, you get a respected team that comes out with the win and they figure out a way to do it tonight.”

Gallery: WJC Semifinal Finland vs. Sweden

The post Swede Shootout Win appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

The post Gallery: WJC Semifinal Finland vs. Sweden appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Zellers has four goals and two assists in the first three games of round-robin play at the 50th annual World Junior Championship, playing in his home state at Grand Casino Arena.

“It’s so cool to be in this position now and know that I’ve always dreamed of playing in this tournament,” Zellers said, following USA’s 6-5 win over Slovakia in the preliminary round Monday. “Growing up, I wanted to play in the World Juniors before I wanted to play in the Olympics.

“That’s how big this tournament, how much it means to us. It’s just so special to be on this team, especially, it’s so much fun having it in Minnesota, too.”

Zellers, a Maple Grove native, takes a little extra pride in the prestigious tournament not only being held in the United States but also only minutes from where he grew up. Zellers is one of a few USA players with Minnesota connections, whether it be their home state or where they’re playing college hockey. He added that they’re feeding off the atmosphere and hometown support.

He noticed a kid during warm-ups who was wearing a Maple Grove sweatshirt, and of course he also has plenty of family and friends around supporting him.

“It’s so special to know you’re backed by kids that you were in their shoes not too long ago,” Zellers said. “It for sure motivates us and adds fuel to the fire and gives us for sure an extra step having 20,000 people have our backs.”

USA opened the tournament with a 6-3 win over Germany, followed by a 2-1 win over Switzerland the next night.

Against Slovakia, USA found itself in a 2-0 hole after the first period after an even-strength and power-play goal 2:22 apart. USA had no choice but to climb out of it in the final two periods, and they started with a four-goal second period.

Brendan McMorrow celebrates his goal against Slovakia to make it a one-goal game on Dec. 29, 2025 at Grand Casino Arena. (MHM Photo / Rick Olson)

Zellers’ linemate Brendan McMorrow slid a perfect pass over to AJ Spellacy off a two-on-one rush. Spellacy’s tap-in goal came shorthanded to get USA on the board just 1 minute, 50 seconds into the second period. McMorrow added his own goal to cut into the deficit again, for a 3-2 game.

McMorrow is from Lakeville, Minn., noting that he grew up “30 minutes down the road.” He has a lot of family attending the tournament, and it’s been fun to play in front of them, he added. USA coach Bob Motzko noted the Minnesota support from over the weekend, saying “the whole city of Lakeville was here.”

“I think in that first game, we came out and we were all just looking around just smiling, how cool it was. Towels waving and stuff,” McMorrow said. “With the crowd behind us, it definitely boosts us a little bit. And it’s been really fun so far to have this tournament in Minnesota, in our country.”

With the game tied 4-4 through two periods, USA got off to a fast start in the third which proved to be the difference. James Hagens put them up 5-4 only 18 seconds into the period. Then Zellers scored a power-play goal within the first five minutes for insurance that turned out to be a very important tally.

He got a pass from Brodie Ziemer, USA’s captain from Chaska, Minn. who plays college hockey for the Minnesota Gophers, on the backdoor. Zellers was left alone, and he didn’t miss his shot.

“Zellers gets another one,” Motzko said. “I heard it was his third game-winner already. Those greasy goals, he finds a way to get them.”

Will Zellers winds up to shoot the puck past Slovakia defenders on Dec. 29, 2025 at Grand Casino Arena. (MHM Photo / Rick Olson)

Zellers is just the latest Maple Grove product to shine at the WJC. He watched Brock Faber, current Minnesota defenseman, play in the 2021 and 2022 tournaments, winning gold in 2021. Last year, Zellers saw his friend and Maple Grove native and defenseman Colin Ralph win the gold medal at the WJC. Zellers and Ralph grew up together, and both played at Shattuck-St. Mary’s.

Contributing to his team on this level, on the big stage of the WJC is something Zellers said his 10-year-old self probably wouldn’t think is real and would be “freaking out a little bit.”

“You never know at that age how far you’re going to go in hockey,” Zellers said.

He added that he wasn’t the best in hockey at that age, wasn’t on the top teams, making the position he’s in now even more special.

His scoring spree started this fall at the University of North Dakota, where he’s tallied 10 goals and 15 points in 18 games so far as a freshman. Not much has changed with his game, Zellers said, but he feels like the biggest thing is he has more confidence. More production on the ice certainly helps confidence rise, too.

“Every player in this tournament is so good,” Zellers said. “I feel like one of the biggest things that separates a good player form a great player is just the confidence that you get from playing and the confidence that you get from coaches.

“I feel like once you start questioning yourself, that’s when things go south, so just making sure I know that I can pay here and I belong here.”

Gallery: WJC Preliminary Round Slovakia vs. USA

The post Home-Ice Production appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

The post Gallery: WJC Preliminary Round Slovakia vs. USA appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.