Czechia triumphs over Sweden in thrilling Bronze Medal shootout

The shootout began with a display of precision and skill. Jakub Stancl opened the scoring for Czechia with a smooth forehand-backhand finish, but Sweden’s Otto Stenberg responded in kind, keeping the shootout level. The ensuing attempts showcased remarkable goaltending, with Michael Hrabal (CZE) and Marcus Gidlof (SWE) making save after save, denying shooters with glove stops, stick saves, and excellent positioning.

Both teams had chances to secure the win, but Hrabal stood tall under immense pressure. Otto Stenberg managed to score late in the shootout to reignite Swedish hopes, but Salé immediately answered back for Czechia, keeping his side alive.

It wasn’t until the 14th round, after numerous missed opportunities and incredible saves, that Salé finally ended the stalemate. His teammates stormed the ice in celebration, marking an emotional conclusion to a tightly contested game.

The game began with high energy, as Czechia struck first on the power play. At 3:47 of the opening period, Jakub Stancl capitalized on a one-timer set up by Adam Jecho and Adam Jiricek. Sweden responded midway through the frame, with David Edstrom banging in a rebound on the power play, assisted by Felix Unger Sörum and Axel Sandin-Pellikka.

Czechia regained the lead in the second period when Salé pounced on a turnover, streaking in alone to beat Gidlof with a silky backhand move at 29:27. However, Edstrom wasn’t done, tying the game at 35:40 with his second goal of the night off a perfectly placed pass from Unger Sörum.

Despite several quality chances in the third period and a fast-paced overtime, neither team could find the back of the net. Sweden outshot Czechia 34-33, but Hrabal’s stellar 32-save performance and his heroics in the shootout earned him Player of the Game honors.