Former Edmonton Oilers defenseman Joel Persson recorded a goal and an assist on Monday, but that would not be enough in the grand scheme of things as Sweden lost their first game of the 2026 IIHF World Championship, dropping a 4-3 decision to Czechia.
Czechia raced out to a 3-0 lead within the game's first 13 minutes, with the first goal being scored over three minutes into the game by Boston Bruins forward Matej Blumel, with assists coming from Vancouver Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek and BÃlà Tygri Liberec defenseman Tomas Galvas. Former Ottawa Senators forward Dominik Kubalik recorded Czechia's second goal while on the power play; his goal was assisted by HC Motor Ceské Budejovice defenseman Tomas Cibulka and HC Dynamo Pardubice winger Martin Kaut.
Just over 30 seconds after the Kubalik goal, HC Kometa Brno winger Jakub Flek made it 3-0 for Czechia, with the assists being recorded by HC Ocelári Trinec forward Daniel Vozenilek and former Oiler David Tomasek.
Persson's goal came on a power play and with under five minutes to go in the first period. His goal was assisted by New York Islanders forward Emil Heineman. Sweden added another goal just two minutes before the intermission; Islanders forward Simon Holmstrom recorded the goal while Persson and Heineman added the assists.
Three minutes into the second period, HC Karlovy Vary forward Jiri Cernoch restored Czechia's multi-goal lead, while his teammate Ondrej Beranek and New York Rangers forward Jaroslav Chmelar added the assists.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson pulled Sweden back within a goal, with Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond and top draft pick Ivar Stenberg contributing to the goal, but the Swedes would ultimately be unable to find the fourth goal required to tie the game.
Relevant statistics and facts
Despite losing the game, Sweden outshot the Czechs 27-14. That tally included a 13-1 margin for the Swedes in the third period and a 7-5 margin for the Czechs in the middle frame.
The Czechs conceded 23 penalty minutes to Sweden's 10, but the Swedes would only score on three of their six power play opportunities. Czechia converted one of their three power play opportunities.
Josef Korenar recorded the win for Czechia, saving 24 of the 27 shots that he faced during the game. Magnus Hellberg was in net for the loss, recording saves on 10 of the 14 shots faced.
What's next?
Both Czechia and Sweden will have Tuesday off before returning to action on Wednesday. Czechia will look to earn their third win of the tournament when they take on Italy at 10:20 A.M. Eastern Time, while Sweden will look to earn a bounce-back win when they take on Slovenia at 2:20 P.M. Eastern Time.
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