General | 1/5/2025 6:00:36 PM

On the back of an incredible performance from Michael Hrabel (Omaha Lancers), Czechia took the bronze medal on the last day of the IIHF World Junior Championship. 

Hrabel stole the show for Czechia as they defeated Sweden 3-2 in a 14-round shootout to earn bronze at the IIHF World Junior Championship. It marks the second straight year the Czechs have taken the bronze medal and third straight year they've earned a medal. They won silver two years ago. 

The UMass sophomore was named Player of the Game for Team Czechia, making 14 saves in the shootout and 32 saves over the course of regulation and overtime. He finished the tournament with a 4-2-0 record, 2.45 goals against average and .919 save percentage. Hrabel played the 2022-23 season with the Lancers before beginning his NCAA career.