Sweden wins bronze at IIHF World Championship

Defending champion Sweden beat the Czech Republic 3-0 to earn a bronze medal in the IIHF Wold Championships on Sunday.

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Joakim Lindstrom, Simon Hjalmarsson and Mikael Backlund (of the Calgary Flames) scored a goal each during the shutout.

“We came here to win the gold,” Lindstrom said. “That was our goal. But the competition is very, very hard, and all in all it was a pretty good tournament for us.”

Despite losing to Russia in the semifinals on Saturday, Sweden was thankful to receive the bronze medal.

“It feels like a successful tournament even though we lost in the semifinal,” forward Oscar Moller stated. “We’re going home with medals so we’re really happy about that.”

It’s not another gold medal, but settling for bronze is still a pretty great feat.

Anders Nilsson (of the New York Islanders) was in net for Sweden and stopped all 29 shots against him to create the shutout. This was the Czech Republic’s second straight shutout loss.

Lindstrom credits Nillson with the win. “He’s been phenomenal, not just today, but the whole tournament. From game one, he’s been our backbone on this hockey team.”

Jaromir Jagr (of the New Jersey Devils) announced after the game that this would be his final game with the team. “This was for sure the last one,” Jagr said. “It’s not that I would think I’m not good enough for it. But this is a different hockey than I play. My hockey doesn’t fit this style.” Knowing his limitations is admirable, and Jagr will be able to concentrate fully on playing with the Devils in the 2014-15 season.