Switzerland and defending champions Canada are followed by Sweden and the Czech Republic in the semi-finals of the Ice Hockey World Cup. The Scandinavians defeated Olympic champion Finland 2-1 (0-0, 0-0, 1-1, 1-0) after extra time on Thursday evening, and the Czechs beat the USA 1-0 in the last eight round ( 0:0, 1:0, 0:0).
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Crime wins! The host shocked America
Hosts Czech Republic pulled off a surprise coup against ice hockey power from the United States. The Swedes are struggling in their first knockout game since a dominant group stage.
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On Saturday, the Swedes will play the Czech Republic and join world champions Canada and Switzerland in the final. Canada qualified for the semifinals with a 6:3 (2:1, 1:0, 3:2) win over third-placed Slovakia at the Olympics. The Swiss eliminated world champions Germany 3:1 (2:0, 0:1, 1:0).
The Czech Republic goalkeeper shined
In both semi-finals of late, the focus has been on the goalkeepers. Czech Republic's Lukas Tostel saved 36 shots against the Americans. Pavel Sacha (27th) scored the winning goal for the Czechs in front of 17,413 spectators in Prague, who nominated another NHL superstar in David Pastrnak just before the opening round ended.
In Ostrava, the Swedes had to be patient for a long time – and had to deal with a late setback. It wasn't until the 56th minute that NHL defender Rasmus Dahlin broke the spell after 31 missed shots. Emil Larmey had outdone himself earlier in the Finnish goal. But Hannes Björninen saved Finland in the last minute, with Joel Eriksson's Eck (66th) leading the Swedes to victory.
