The Albany Gazette - Pastrnak propels Czechs to ice hockey world title

The Boston Bruins wing pleased the crowd at the Prague Arena at 49:13 with his trademark one-timer from the left circle following a pass from Tomas Kundratek.

Toronto Maple Leafs center David Kampf put a seal on the win scoring into the empty net 19 seconds from the end as Switzerland had pulled goaltender Leonardo Genoni.

Pastrnak only joined the Czech team before the last group game after the Bruins had bowed out of the Stanley Cup at the hands of the Florida Panthers.

He was the NHL's seventh most prolific scorer in the 2023-24 regular season, but the goal in the worlds final was his only one in four games at the tournament.

Anaheim Mighty Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal stopped 31 Swiss shots for his third shut-out of the championships.

Switzerland came the closest to scoring when Christoph Bertschy's shot bounced off the post in the first period.

Dominik Kubalik and Kampf hit the post of Genoni's goal in the second period.

The Czechs won their seventh title since their country gained independence in 1993, following wins in 1996, 1999-2001, 2005 and 2010.

Their 38-year-old captain Roman Cervenka is the only current player who won the 2010 title.

Switzerland, who have never won the tournament, earned their fourth silver after 1935, 2013 and 2018.

Czech coach Radim Rulik took the team over before the season and won gold at his first world championships.

Sweden clinched the bronze after beating Canada 4-2 in the third-place game owing to two goals by LA Kings forward Carl Grundstrom, including the game winner six minutes from time.

The Czechs reached the final after beating Sweden 7-3 while Switzerland edged past Canada in a shoot-out for a 3-2 win in Saturday's semi-finals.

(T.Wright--TAG)