"The World Juniors gold medal is Sweden's third in their history and their first in 14 years (2012). Czechia was down 3-0 with just 2:24 remaining in the third period before scoring two goals with their goaltender pulled. Matej Kubiesa potted their second marker with 24 seconds left on the clock, but they were unable to tie the game as Sweden's Ivar Stenberg guided home an empty netter to close the tournament's final game."
"Milton Gastrin, a 2025 second-round pick, earned a gold medal as Sweden defeated Czechia 4-2. Gastrin was an unused healthy scratch in the final for the Swedes, but did play in the team's first six games of the tournament. Gastrin finishes the tournament with zero points, playing just 9:35 of ice time per game."
"Petr Sikora, a 2024 sixth-round pick, took home silver with Czechia, his second consecutive medal after winning bronze last year. On the losing side, Sikora was held off the scoresheet, finishing his final World Juniors tournament with nine points (2g, 7a) in seven games. The 20-year-old centerman skated 20:07 of ice time in the loss and fired four shots on goal."
Two Washington Capitals prospects earned medals at the 2026 World Junior Championship: Milton Gastrin won gold with Sweden and Petr Sikora took silver with Czechia. Sweden beat Czechia 4-2, with Ivar Stenberg scoring an empty-net goal after Czechia rallied late to cut the deficit. Gastrin was an unused healthy scratch in the final but played in Sweden's first six games, finishing with seven shots and two minor penalties in limited ice time. Sikora served as Czechia's captain, finished the tournament with nine points in seven games and skated more than 20 minutes in the final. Sweden claimed its third World Juniors gold and first since 2012.
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