Maple Leafs’ Brilliant key player Leads Sweden to Bronze, Triumphs Over John Tavares and Team Canada at World Hockey Championship
Following their respective upset losses in the semifinals, Sweden and Canada squared off in the third-place match.
After Sweden’s 4-2 victory against Canada in the bronze medal game in Prague on Sunday, Pontus Holmberg is taking home some hardware from his first World Hockey Championship.
Team Sweden takes Bronze at the #MensWorlds! 🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/jEfljbslN7
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 26, 2024
Holmberg participated in all ten games for Sweden in his first-ever IIHF World Hockey Championship, averaging 15:29 of ice time per game while playing on a line with fellow NHL players Lukas Raymond and Andre Burakovsky. Holmberg ended with six assists.
The previous time Holmberg had played for Sweden was as a member of the Olympic squad in 2022, which was devoid of NHL players.
Carl Grundstrom, a former Leafs prospect, scored two goals to help Sweden defeat the Canadians.
Canada’s second goal of the match, which gave them a 2-1 lead, was assisted by Maple Leafs and captain John Tavares of Canada. Sweden then rallied with three goals in a row.
Tavares has a relatively successful tournament despite the sad fourth-place result; he ties Dylan Cozens for the team lead in points with 11 while playing one fewer game (two goals, nine assists in nine games).
SWEDEN TAKES THE LEAD!
Carl Grundstrom gives his team the lead in the 3rd period. #MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/6QHak9n0ST
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 26, 2024
In the final, Sweden and Canada were the favorites to face off. On Saturday, however, host Czechia won 73 against Sweden in the first semifinal. In a shootout, Canada was defeated 3-2 by Switzerland.
Pierre-Luc Dubois finishes the feed from Hagel. Canada gets the lead in the third.🇨🇦🚨 #MensWorlds #SWECAN @hockeycanada @LAKings pic.twitter.com/ocULIIdMh3
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 26, 2024
David Kampf, a forward for the Maple Leafs, will compete in the Gold Medal Game later on Sunday.
