VIENNA, 17 May 2005 — The Czech Republic won the world ice hockey championship on Sunday as Martin Rucinsky and Jaromir Jagr led them to a 3-0 shutout of Canada, breaking the Canadians stranglehold on the gold medal.
The win handed the Czechs their fifth title in 10 years and broke Canada’s bid to win a third consecutive championship and 24th overall, which would have tied them with the former Soviet Union-Russia for the most golds.
Earlier on Sunday, Russia beat Sweden 6-3 to win the bronze medal.
The Czechs, who were cheered on by a strong contingent of fans including their president, Vaclav Klaus, and Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek, now have 11 titles, counting those from the former Czechoslovakia.
The Canadians had hoped to keep a close eye on Jagr, but got caught on a line change early in the first period and gave him some open ice.
The New York Ranger forward, playing with a broken finger, made them pay dearly, taking the puck deep into Canadian territory before firing a cross-ice pass to Rucinsky.
His shot hit the post, but Vaclav Prospal banged home the rebound at 4:13.
Czech coach Vladimir Ruzicka double shifted Jagr most of the night to keep him away from Canada’s checking line of Kris Draper, Kirk Maltby and Shane Doan.
But Canada made the mistake again in the third period, and Jagr fed Rucinsky who blasted a low shot that Martin Brodeur should have stopped.
