Canada to face Sweden for gold today

Canada routs Czechs, while Sweden holds off Americans in semifinals

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Canada and Sweden will face off for gold at the World Junior Hockey Championship tonight.

“I think it’s the two best teams that are going to meet,” Swedish goaltender Filip Gustavsson said.

Gustavsson made 29 saves and Sweden had a three-goal third period to beat the defending champion United States on Thursday in the first semifinal.

Drake Batherson had a hat trick to lead Canada over the Czech Republic 7-2 and into the title game for the third time in four years.

Canada and Sweden have played for the gold medal three times before — in 1996, 2008 and 2009. The Canadians won all three contests.

With the expected No. 1 pick in this year’s NHL draft, defenceman Rasmus Dahlin, and several other top prospects on the roster, the Swedes believe they have the talent to claim their first gold medal since 2012. Sweden finished fourth each of the last three years after finishing second in 2013 and 2014.

“Everyone is here to win,” Swedish coach Tomas Moten said. “So if we’re not going to win tomorrow, I don’t think the feeling will be any different than last year when we lost the bronze-medal game.”

The U.S. was trying to become the first country to win back-to-back gold medals since Canada claimed five straight from 2005-09. The Americans have never won a gold medal on home ice.

“This one blindsided us because we felt so strong with how we were going,” U.S. coach Bob Motzko said. “We had a vampire suck it out of us today. It just tells you how tough it is.”

Elias Pettersson, Lias Andersson, Oskar Steen and Axel Jonsson Fjallby scored for Sweden, which has not trailed in any game during the tournament. Linus Lindstrom had two assists.

Sam Steel, Maxime Comtois, Jordan Kyrou and Boris Katchouk also had goals for Canada, which has won every game in dominating fashion aside from its 4-3 shootout loss to the U.S. in an outdoor game during the preliminary round.

Canada came alive late in the first period after spotting the Czechs a 1-0 lead.

The Canadian Press Canada forward Drake Batherson celebrates after scoring against the Czech Republic during the second period of their semifinal at the IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo, N.Y., on Thursday. Canada won 7-2.