Washington Capitals prospect Petr Sikora is a 2025 World Juniors medalist. Sikora’s Team Czechia defeated Team Sweden 3-2 in a drama-filled bronze medal game on Sunday.
The two teams were tied after regulation — and when neither squad scored in the 10-minute overtime period, the game came down to the shootout. Even then, the two teams were remarkably evenly-matched, taking the skills competition to a staggering 14 rounds before Eduard Sale beat goaltender Marcus Gidlof for the final time.
The shootout was the longest in World Juniors history and featured 23 combined saves by Gidlof and Michael Hrabal. Sikora shot once in the shootout but could not convert on a move with his backhand.
As the Czechs were awarded their medals, the Canadian crowd again thoroughly booed Sikora. The 19-year-old winger has attracted the ire of Canadians over the past week after drawing a five-minute kneeing major penalty against Team Canada in the quarterfinal.
Sikora smiled, applauded, and waved to the booing crowd as the Canadian Tire Centre PA announcer announced his name.
The Capitals’ 2024 sixth-round draft selection finished the tournament with seven points (4g, 3a) in seven games. Sikora will be eligible to return for a second tournament next year.
The bronze medal is Czechia’s fourth as an independent nation and their seventh overall. They’ve previously won two gold medals and one silver medal.
