Czechia Defeat Switzerland 5-1 Win – Hockey Writers – World Junior Hockey Championship

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On the first day of the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, Czechia and Switzerland match. Czechia looked set to improve on last year's streak of winning bronze, while Switzerland looked set to start their tournament strongly. At the end of the game, the Czech Republic proved too difficult to keep up with Switzerland, pulling out a 5-1 victory.

Recap of the game

In the first half, the Swiss seized the opportunity to shoot in the first five minutes of the game. However, Czechia took advantage of a zone faceoff victory, which eventually led to a shot by Galvas Tomas in the zone that was redirected by Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Miroslav Holinka. The rest of the period was back and forth, with both teams getting action in their attacking positions. But the strikers of both teams stood up for their teams to keep the game going 1-0 to Czechia after 20 minutes of playing.

Related: Guide to the 2025 World Junior Championship

After Switzerland failed to capitalize on a rollover power play early in the second half, Czechia capitalized on their advantage. Seattle Kraken prospect Eduard Sale fired a shot past Holinka. It didn't take long for the Czechs to extend their lead. Just over a minute after Sale's goal, Ondrej Kos capitalized on puck movement high up in the offensive zone, leading him to work his way down the boards with the puck. As he went to cross-ice, his effort deflected off the stick of the Swiss defenseman and over Elijah Neuenschwander's shoulder to push the Czech Republic to 3-0 just under the middle of the frame.

Michael Hrabal made a great save from Rafael Meier to keep his side leading 3-0 near the halfway mark. The Swiss seemed to be gaining momentum with strong play and scoring opportunities but continued to be blocked by Hrabal. The second half ended with 3-0 Czechia.

2025 IIHF World Junior Championship (Hockey Writers)

The first scoring chance of the third period came early, fortunately when Switzerland's Jamiro Reber was intercepted, but Hrabal again shut the door. The momentum gained from Czechia's power play failure led to Jakub Stancl's goal shortly after the end. Stancl's curling shot attempt came off Neuenschwander's skate to put the Czech Republic up 4-0 less than five minutes into the period. The Swiss finally got on the board thanks to strong play from Endo Meier to find Leo Braillard to make it 4-1 just before the third half mark. Czechia added an empty net goal by Petr Sikora to close things out 5-1.

Hrabal was busy in the win, stopping 25 of 26 shots. Neuenschwander stopped 30 of the 34 he faced in the loss. Both net owners received Player of the Game honors for their respective teams.