The USA defeated the Czechs in the semifinal with 4–1 and the reigning champions will now face Finland in the final, which will be played on Monday night.
The USA, who were favorites to win the gold considering that the Junior World Championship is being played on a small rink in Ottawa, Canada, took the lead early in the first period. The Czech Republic equalized, but the USA regained the lead in the second period and managed to hold off the Czechs despite high pressure. Halfway through the third period, the USA's team captain Ryan Leonard scored 3–1, and the final goal came in the end in an open net.
Sweden's semifinal was more of a thriller, Finland winning 4–3 after overtime.
It sucks, we want to play the final. Now it's over, so it's just a matter of reloading for the bronze match, said Sweden's team captain Axel Sandin-Pellikka in SVT's broadcast tonight, after the tough loss.
Sweden had won all five matches, including against the Czech Republic with 4–2, on their way to the semifinal against Finland. The Czech Republic, in turn, knocked out the host nation Canada in the quarterfinal.
The bronze match will be played on Sunday evening, 21.30 Swedish time.
