Martin Rysavy of Czechia, centre, celebrates the game-tying goal in front of Sweden goaltender Carl Lindbom, second from left, during third period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship semifinal action against Sweden in Halifax on Jan. 4, 2023.Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press
David Jiricek tied the game with 39 seconds remaining in regulation and Jiri Kulich scored in overtime Wednesday as Czechia came back to beat Sweden 2-1 and advance to the final of the world junior hockey championship.
Ludvig Jansson scored in the second period for Sweden, which appeared poised to advance to the gold-medal game for the first time since 2018.
Jiricek gave Czechia life when he ripped a shot from just outside the left face-off circle past Swedish goalie Carl Lindbom with time winding down.
Kulich sent Czechia to the tournament final when he skated in from the right side and beat Lindbom 9:10 into the extra frame for his fifth goal of the tournament.
Tomas Suchanek made 21 saves for Czechia, while Lindbom stopped 29 shots for Sweden.
Czechia advanced to the gold-medal game for the first time since winning back-to-back titles in 2000 and 2001.
The Czechs will next face host and defending champion Canada in Thursday’s final. Canada bounced the United States 6-2 in the other semifinal.
Earlier Wednesday, Latvia beat Austria 4-2 to sweep the best-of-three relegation series.