Czechia got the best of the United States in a preliminary round matchup at the IIHF World Championships on Tuesday, but the Americans at least had the upper hand in a battle involving members of the Boston Bruins.
Eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, David Pastrnak and Jeremy Swayman are among the members of the Black and Gold suiting up for their respective nations at the tournament in Finland. While Pastrnak -- and former Bruin David Krejci -- have already clinched a spot in the quarterfinal round of the championships, it was no fault of Swayman on Tuesday after he made 15 stops in a 1-0 loss to the Czechs, none more impressive than this one:
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On a 2-on-1 in which Krejci set up Pastrnak, Swayman stepped up with a massive pad save on Pastrnak in the third period to keep the deficit at a goal.
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Krejci is having a strong tournament for his homeland, tied for second in assists with six through seven games, but could have had another if not for Swayman's stackup save. In just five games following Boston's Game 7 loss to the Carolina Hurricans, Pastrnak has five points (three goals, two assists) for the Czechs.
Matej Blumel, a draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 2019, scored the game's lone goal to deny the U.S. a berth in the quarterfinals. The Americans can still move on to the next round, however, so long as they come away with a point against Norway in their final preliminary round game on Wednesday.
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Swayman has been sharp throughout his international debut for the U.S., making 52 saves on 55 shots faced (.946 save percentage) with an 0.99 goals against average. He recorded a shutout in his debut against Great Britain last week, and shared a hug with Linus Ullmark when Team USA defeated Sweden.