Czechs edge Sweden in thriller to bounce back at Ice Hockey Worlds

Czechia’s ice hockey team bounced back from their upset loss to Slovenia by defeating Sweden 4–3 in a dramatic group-stage clash at the World Championship in Fribourg. The Czechs stormed into a 3–0 lead in the opening 13 minutes through Matěj Blümel, Dominik Kubalík and Jakub Flek. But a major penalty for defender Jan Ščotka allowed Sweden back into the game, with two power-play goals before the first break. Jiří Černoch restored a two-goal cushion in the second period, though Sweden again replied with the man advantage. Goaltender Josef Kořenář then made a series of crucial saves to preserve the lead.