World Junior Championship: Czechs Win Bronze, USA Places Fourth

The Czech Republic won the bronze medal today at the 2005 World Junior Hockey Championship, defeating the United States 3-2 in overtime.

Petr Vrana, a second-round pick of the New Jersey Devils, scored the winning goal at 2:38 of the overtime period. Czech goaltender Marek Schwarz, a first-round pick of the St. Louis Blues, had another good game. He stopped 33 of the 35 shots, and was named outstanding goaltender of the tournament.

Drew Stafford and Kevin Porter scored for the Americans. Goaltender Al Montoya played well, with 34 saves. But he looked bad on the winning goal, a weak shot that slipped under his leg. Montoya, a New York Rangers' first-round pick and the top goaltender of last year's World Junior tournament, was not nearly as good this year, allowing several questionable goals.

Over the course of seven games, more positive news for the Americans came in the form of outstanding performances by Stafford and Phil Kessel. Stafford, a draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres, was the team's most effective goal scorer. Kessel, an exciting 17-year-old who will be eligible for the NHL Entry Draft in 2006, picked up a couple of highlight-reel goals.

Forwards Patrick O'Sullivan (a Minnesota Wild draft pick) and Dan Fritsche (Columbus Blue Jackets) also looked very good, as did defenseman Ryan Suter (Nashville Predators), who was named to the tournament All Star team.

The Czech team included 12 players who play in Canadian junior hockey leagues. Their star was undoubtedly Schwarz, a first-round draft pick of the St. Louis Blues who plays for the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League. Another Czech to watch for is 16-year-old Michael Frolik, the youngest player in the tournament. He recorded three goals in seven games.