Sweden make history

The victory ends Sweden's eight year slump without a medal at the world championships. Jorgen Jonsson, Sweden's all time appearence leader, is the only player left from the the last Swedish team to medal in 1998 when they won the gold in Zurich, Switzerland.

With their fourth world chamionship gold medal in 16 years, Sweden remain atop the world rankings. They first took the number one spot after their Olympic victory.

Swedish netminder Johan Holmqvist had little to do, making 14 saves to preserve the shutout rather effortlessly.

Niklas Kronwall, who beat out Sidney Crosby for tournament MVP, was imperial Sunday night, contributing a goal and an assist. Kronwall, along with Mikael Samuelsson, Kenny Jonsson, Jorgen Jonsson, and Ronnie Sundin all collected their second gold medal after contributing to Tre Kronor's triumph in Turin.

The Czechs, who never looked like beating the Swedes on Sunday night, earned their second consecutive world championship medal after having won the tournament last year in Austria.

Jesper Mattsson matched Kronwall with a goal and an assist while Fredrik Emvall and Jorgen Jonsson added the other two Swedish scores. Andreas Karlsson and Sweden's leadng assist man, Michael Nylander, each had assists.

Swedish goalie Johan Holmqvist registered 14 saves for his second shutout of the tournament. Milan Hnilicka, had a much tougher time than his Swedish counterpart. The 32-year-old Czech shook off back soreness to make his ninth straight start, stopping 22 shots.

After braving an early Czech power play, Sweden almost got on the board when Mikael Samuelsson's one-timer was saved by Hnilicka's blocker.

The Swedes thought they had the first goal when on eight minutes, Andreas Karlsson's slap shot beat Hnilicka to the five-hole. To the Swedish fans' dissapointment was audible when the goal was not alowed to stand. The referee ruled tht he had blown his whistle just before the puck crossed the line.

The opening goal finally came when on 14 minutes Niklas Kronwall made a nifty move to loose two defenders and fire a shot into traffic in front of the net. The Detroit Red Wing's shot was initially blocked but Jesper Mattsson was there to take a swing at the rebound. The puck bounced high into the air before landing on the other side of Hnilicka and rolling over the line.

Less than a minute later Sweden struck again, this time through a masterful deflection by Fredrik Emvall just in front of Hnilicka's crease.

The Swedes never looked back as the Czech Republic only looked hopeless and out of touch with their dominant opponents.

Kronwall extended the lead after getting on the other end of a great pass from Mattsson in the neutral zone. Kronwall skated in on Hnilicka's crease and beat the Czech goalie with a top-shelf backhand.

Tre Kronor drove the final nail into the Czech coffin when, three minutes from the end of the second period, the Swedes converted the power play. Nylander snuck behind the net and fed to Jorgen Jonsson who hammered the puck past Hnilicka's skate.

The Czech Republic knew they were beat as the Swedes sucked the life out of the game in the third period. Sweden controlled the neutral zone masterfully, continuously disrupting the Czech passing before they could cross the blue line.

Holmqvist made a dandy glove save with eight minutes left when Petr Hubacek rumbled towards the net and fired a wrist shot.

The final buzzer rang out and the Swedish players charged the ice in a mass of flying pads and gloves. The party was on just behind Holmqvist's net.

Holmqvist was named best goalie of the tournament while Niklas Kronwall recieved the best defenseman award in adition to the MVP honour. To no one's surprised Sidney Crosby was named best forward of the world championships as the 18-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins star ended as top scorer.