Magnus Paajarvi joins in a Swedish goal celebration in the semifinal game vs Czech Republic Friday, May 13, 2011. (Photo by Jukka Rautio / HHOF-IIHF Images).

Related Items: Sweden vs Czech Republic Game Sheet Video Highlights Photo Gallery Visit the IIHF World Championships website IIHF Stats & Schedule Rosters: Canada | Sweden

After Jordan Eberle and the rest of Team Canada were eliminated from medal contention Thursday, the only Oiler with a chance for gold is Sweden's Magnus Paajarvi.

Facing the undefeated Czech Republic in the semifinals, Sweden played its second do-or-die game Friday. 

SWEDEN VS CZECH REPUBLIC

On- and off-ice officials were able to ease their way into the game, thanks to an uneventful first period that produced no goals, no penalties, and a 14-9 shot advantage for the Czechs.

But things got interesting early in the second: only 46 seconds into the frame, Marek Zidlicky fired a breakout pass to Milan Michalek, who soared up the right wing and then backhanded the puck over to Patrik Elias. Elias directed it past Viktor Fasth to give the Czech Republic a 1-0 lead.

Roman Cervenka took the game's first penalty, a hooking minor, three minutes later, and one minute into the power-play, Sweden evened it up.

Although Patrik Berglund's initial slapshot was blocked, the puck bounced back out to him and he wired it through a crowd and past goalie Ondrej Pavelec to tie the game at one.

Sweden continued to dominate as the period progressed, outshooting their opponent two to one. The pressure paid off with less than five minutes remaining in the frame, as Mikael Backlund grabbed a loose puck in the Swedish zone, exploded up the ice, and fooled Pavelec with a sharp-angle shot to give Sweden a 2-1 lead.

A penalty shot miss by Loui Eriksson kept the Czech Republic within one, but the distance soon increased in the third period.

Goals by Jimmie Ericsson and Marcus Kruger gave Sweden a commanding 4-1 lead with less than eight minutes left in regulation. Although Elias narrowed the gap with his second of the game at 14:22, an empty-netter for Berglund (also his second of the game) gave Sweden a 5-2 win and berth in Sunday's gold medal game.

On an individual note, Paajarvi finished -1 with two shots in 14:47 of ice time.
 

UP NEXT:

Will Magnus Paajarvi earn his first World Championship gold medal Sunday? Watch the game live on TSN at 12:30pm MT. (Photo courtesy of HHOF/IIHF Images)

Today at 12:15pm MT, Finland and Russia compete in the second semifinal game. The winner will move on to play Sweden for gold, while the loser will play the Czech Republic for Bronze. 

The bronze game goes down Sunday, May 15 at 8:00am MT, while the gold game gets underway that same day at 12:30pm MT. All games, including this afternoon's semifinal match-up, will be broadcast on TSN.   

As always, follow the official Oilers Twitter account for updates on Oilers efforts in Slovakia, and visit edmontonoilers.com for a game recap of each Team Canada and Team Sweden game. 


SEMIFINAL SCHEDULE & RESULTS
(all times mountain)

Friday, May 13:

Russia vs Finland - 12:15pm MT 
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos

Sweden 5 - Czech Republic 2 
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos


QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE & RESULTS
(all times mountain)

Thursday, May 12:

Russia 2 - Canada 1 
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos | Highlights

Finland 4 - Norway 1 
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos

Wednesday, May 11:

Czech Republic 4 - USA 0 
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos

Sweden 5 - Germany 2 
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos


QUALIFICATION ROUND SCHEDULE & RESULTS
(all times mountain)

Monday, May 9:

Canada 3 - Sweden 2
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos | Highlights

Sunday, May 8:

Sweden 2 - Switzerland 0
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos

Saturday, May 7:

Canada 3 - Norway 2
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos

Friday, May 6:

Canada 4 - USA 3 (SO) 
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos | Highlights

Sweden 4 - France 0
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos


ROUND ROBIN SCHEDULE & RESULTS
(all times mountain)

Wednesday, May 4:

Sweden 6 - USA 2
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos

Tuesday, May 3:

Canada 4 - Switzerland 3 (OT)
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos | Highlights

Monday, May 2:

Sweden 3 - Austria 0
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos

Sunday, May 1:

Canada 9 - France 1
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos

Saturday, April 30:

Norway 5 - Sweden 4 (SO)
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos

Friday, April 29:

Canada 4 - Belarus 1
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos | Highlights