The Czech Republic came from an early two-goal deficit to beat the Americans 8-4 in the World Hockey Championship bronze medal game on Sunday in Tempere, Finland.
David Pastrnak took matters into his own hands using a hat trick in the third period. He placed two of them early in the heart contact of a push of three goals he registered in the space of 2 min 36 s.
Jiri Cernoch, Jiri Smejkal, Roman Cervenka and Tomas Hertl, one shorthanded and the other in an empty net, completed the scoring for the Czech Republic who came from six consecutive goals to sink the opposition.
The Czech Republic is on the third step of the podium of these worlds for the first time since 2012.
The United States started the game well, however, leading 3-1 after a period thanks in particular to two goals from Karson Kuhlman.
Adam Gaudette, with his 6th in the tournament, and Thomas Bordeleau, for a reason already defeated late in the game, were the other scorers.
The gold medal match will face the defending Canadian champion later against tournament host Finland. The two countries will face off in the third consecutive edition of the tournament.
Source: Radio-Canada
