The Czech Republic defeated Finland 5-3 Thursday night in the Under-18 Five Nations Tournament at USA Hockey Arena.

The Czech Republic poured on the offense early, netting their first goal at the 5:58 mark of the first period from Radim Salda. Thirty seconds later Krystof Hrabik doubled the Czech’s lead. Marek Skvrne made it 3-0 with assists from Matej Novak and Matyas Zellinger at the 10:25 mark of the period.

After the third unanswered goal, Finland pulled goaltender, Lassi Lehtinen, in favor of Daniel Lebedeff.

Finland got on the board before heading to the locker room, thanks to Santeri Hartikainen, after a scrum in front of the Czech net at the 18:16 mark of the first period.

The teams traded goals early in the second. Ostap Safin added one for the Czech Republic, while Finland’s Jesse Ylonen put his lone goal of the night top shelf.

Eero Teravainen pulled Finland within one tally with a power play goal at the 10:13 mark of the second period.

Jachym Kondelik added another for the Czech Republic in the third period to give the Czechs the 5-3 final.

Czech Republic goaltender, Tomas Vomacka made 19 saves while Finland goaltender Lassi Lehtinen saved four shots and Daniel Lebedeff turned away 17 shots.

Both teams are back in action tomorrow, Friday Nov. 4, as Finland takes on Switzerland at 3:30 p.m. and the Czech Republic takes on the U.S. at 7 p.m. at USA Hockey Arena.

Sweden National Under-18 Team forward Anton Johansson registered a shootout tally to lift Sweden past Switzerland, 3-2, on Thursday afternoon at USA Hockey Arena.

With the victory, Sweden is now 2-1 in the tournament and sits atop the leaderboard with five points, while Switzerland falls to 0-3. 

Erik Aterius opened the scoring for Sweden with a power play goal at the 7:19 mark of the the first period. Filip Westerlund and Isac Lundestrom assisted on the play.

In the second period, goals by Switzerland forwards Marco Lehmann and Sven Leuenberger gave Switzerland the lead heading into the final regulation period. 

Emil Bemstrom knotted the game at two for Team Sweden with 1:24 remaining in regulation and forced the game to overtime

Switzerland registered two shots in overtime but neither team was able to find the back of the net. 

After Bemstrom failed to score in the first round for Sweden, Johansson deked to his backhand to beat Switzerland goaltender Nils Johnson for the game-winning shootout goal. 

Swedish goaltender Olle Eriksson Ek made 23 saves to pick up his first win of the tournament while Johnson registered 21 saves for Switzerland in his first appearance of the tournament. 

Sweden next plays on Saturday (Nov. 5) at 3:30 p.m. ET against the Czech Republic at USA Hockey Arena while Switzerland concludes their tournament Friday (Nov. 4) with a matchup with Finland at 3:30 p.m. ET.