The final at the Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, USA, started at a high pace, and fans did not have to wait long for the first big chance. The very first puck that headed towards the Czech net hit the post behind goalie Michal Orsulak. The Czech team quickly regrouped and soon after, Adam Jiricek capped off a nice move in the attacking zone with a shot.
Orsulak made his first official save of the game only after six minutes. About a minute earlier, defenseman Jakub Fibigr had a chance, but the alert Swedes managed to block his attempt in time.
Around the halfway mark of the first period, the Czechs got their first powerplay, with Vaclav Nestrasil and Adam Benak particularly active, but their combinations didn’t break the deadlock.
Patrik Augusta’s team soon got another powerplay opportunity after Sascha Boumedienne sent the puck into the stands.
But instead of capitalising, the Swedes struck first while shorthanded. After a brilliant individual play by Jack Berglund, an unmarked Casper Juustovaara Karlsson finished into an open net.
And when another shot from Jiricek didn’t find the net just before the first buzzer, the Czechs headed to the locker room trailing by one, thanks in part to a great save from Orsulak.
After the break, Tre Kronor started the second period stronger, threatening the Czech net three times in the opening two minutes. Ivar Stenberg stood out, his one-timer once again hitting Orsulak’s post.
The Czech team shook off the slow start to the second period and managed to put the Swedes under pressure midway through, but 18-year-old goalie Love Harenstam – with a little help from the goal frame on Jiricek’s shot - kept them at bay.
The Czech momentum was soon interrupted by a penalty, and after Vojtech Cihar was called for cross-checking, the Swedes got their first powerplay - and made it count. A rebound landed perfectly for Victor Eklund, who made no mistake and doubled his team’s lead.
The Czechs continued to struggle for the rest of the period, but got another powerplay chance. However, the Swedes in yellow held firm once again.
Just before the second intermission, things could have gotten even worse for the Czechs - for the third time, the puck hit the post behind Orsulak. The national team responded with a good play from Adam Novotny, showing they weren’t giving up on gold. Still, Tre Kronor dominated the ice, leading the shot count 28-11 after 40 minutes.
The Czechs came out more aggressively in the third period, but the cautious defensive approach from Magnus Havelid's side paid off. Hopes for a Czech comeback took a big hit when Boumedienne blasted home to make it a three-goal game.
Augusta’s team got what was likely their last chance to get back into the game with a fourth powerplay, but still could not solve the flawless Harenstam.
It wasn’t until three minutes from the end that Jiricek finally broke through, scoring on a one-timer with the Czech net empty. A furious finish brought the national team within one, as Matej Kubiesa scored with just 24 seconds left.
But the Swedes kept their cool in the dying moments, adding a fourth goal into the empty net through Stenberg, and secured their third gold in history, their first since 2012.
The Czechs, meanwhile, will have to wait at least another year for their dream of a third World Junior title, but a fourth straight medal is a huge success – a streak they last matched in the Czechoslovak era from 1982 to 1985.