Czechs open their defense of hockey worlds title with 5-4 win over Switzerland

Switzerland's forward Timo Meier, left, defender Dean Kukan (14) and goaltender Leonardo Genoni react after the Czech Republic scored the winning goal in overtime during a Group B game between Switzerland and Czech Republic at the hockey world championships, Friday, May 9, 2025, in Herning, Denmark. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)

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HERNING, Denmark (AP) — Defending champion Czech Republic prevailed in overtime to open the men's ice hockey world championship with a 5-4 victory over Switzerland on Friday in a rematch of last yearÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ final.

Roman Cervenka scored the winner 2:30 into overtime from the left circle after David Pastrnak fed him with his second assist in the game played in Herning, Denmark.

Czech Lukas Sedlak tied the game at 4-4 on a rebound on a power play with 3:47 left to force overtime.

Matej Stransky, Filip Zadina and Filip Pyrochta also scored for the Czechs who beat the Swiss 2-0 in the final last year in Prague.

Christian Marti, Damien Riat, Sandro Schmid and Sven Andrighetto scored for Switzerland.

In the Swedish capital of Stockholm, Finland topped Austria 2-1.

The United States played Denmark later Friday in Herning, and Sweden played Slovakia in Stockholm.

is the final menÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ international test before the 2026 Winter Games in Italy, where after 12 years.

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