Sweden beat Czech Republic to take world bronze

Defending champions Sweden had to settle for bronze at this year's world ice hockey championship on Sunday after beating the Czech Republic 3-0 in Minsk. Left winger Joakim Lindstrom collected a goal and an assist, while New York Islanders goalie Anders Nilsson produced 29 saves to leave the Czechs empty-handed. "It's perfect to finish with a medal around the neck," winger Linus Klasen said. "Of course we wanted to retain the title but a world medal is a medal anyway. "We all did a great job, a team effort today. The luck was also on our side especially when we scored the opening goal. "In general we have played well in the tournament. Maybe we have missed a couple of good chances to score yesterday (Saturday) missing a place in the final but we have done our best and have nothing to reproach ourselves here in Minsk." The Swedes, who won their preliminary group match 4-3 against the Czechs in the penalty shootout, opened after 4:28 through Lindstrom, who sent the puck in from behind the goal line with a help of a ricochet. Another left winger Simon Hjalmarsson added another with 4:16 remaining before the first intermission to give Sweden a comfortable 2-0 advantage. In the second period the Czechs had five powerplay opportunities but failed to find the net as Nilsson was in complete command of his net. Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund rounded off the scoring 8:22 into the third when he netted Sweden's third goal with a wrist shot from the left face-off circle to secure his team's well-deserved win. Czech forward Roman Cervenka was shocked at his team's inability to score. "I just don't know how that puck stayed out of the net," he said. "We kept getting our shots away but we couldn't get one in. "It was a fairly even game, I think maybe we even had more chances than the Swedes." The final between Russia and Finland will be played later on Sunday. Source: AFP