GOTHENBURG, Sweden -- Jonathan Lekkerimaki (VAN) scored two goals including the eventual game-winner as host Sweden advanced to the gold-medal game at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship. Sweden defeated Czechia 5-2 in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 11,000 fans, most of whom were clad in gold Sweden jerseys.

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Czechia got the scoring started early as Matyas Melovsky found some space near the net and delivered a shot through the pads of Sweden goalie Hugo Havelid. Sweden was able to answer back a few minutes later when Michael Hrabal (ARI) misplayed Theo Lindstein's (STL) shot as the puck went in and out of his glove for a goal.

Theo Lindstein ties things up for Sweden 🇸🇪 and the Scandinavium is ELECTRIC ⚡#WorldJuniors #SWECZE pic.twitter.com/A8jmD6VgiO

— FloHockey (@FloHockey) January 4, 2024

The second period saw more of the same as Sweden took its first lead of the game early on with a long shot from Axel Sandin Pellikka (DET) that beat Hrabal to the glove side. Tomas Cibulka scored on the power play to even the score with a blast from the left faceoff circle.

The third period belonged to Sweden, however. Lekkerimaki scored on a rare power play, sending a blast home from the left side. With 8:00 to play in regulation Noah Ostlund (BUF) skated in on a breakaway, made a move to his backhand and scored to give Sweden a little breathing room. Just 1:02 later, Ostlund found Lekkerimaki alone in front and he left no doubt with an emphatic shot to make it 5-2 and start the party.

Lekkerimäki (VAN) gets another and it's 5-2 Sweden 🇸🇪#WorldJuniors #SWECZE pic.twitter.com/xUWnxnKAIg

— FloHockey (@FloHockey) January 4, 2024

Czechia made a late push, but Hugo Havelid turned aside each of the eight shots he saw in the final frame to finish with 23 saves on the night as his strong play in the tournament continued.

Sweden now awaits the winner of the semifinal between USA and Finland, played later Thursday.

2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships Finals

The Bronze Medal Game of the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships begins at 9 a.m. EST on Jan. 5. 

The Gold Medal Game is at 1:30 p.m. EST.  

World Juniors Stream In 2023- 2024

The World Juniors Championships will air the NHL Network in the U.S.. Select games will be available on ESPN+.

World Juniors Hockey On TSN In Canada

In Canada, the event will be televised on TSN and streamed on TSN+.

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