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PARDUBICE, Czech Republic — Sweden earned first place in Pool A and a bye to the semifinals at the world junior hockey championship with a 4-2 win over the host Czech Republic on Monday.
Sweden (4-0) gets three days in a row off from games until Friday's semifinal.
"We can focus in a little bit on our special teams and faceoffs and small details like that, but I think the best thing is we get the extra day off and get some rest," said Edmonton Oil Kings forward Robin Figren.
Canada, which was to meet Denmark later Monday, finished second in Pool A and the Czechs third at 2-2.
The Canadians needed the Czechs to beat the Swedes by five goals or less to claim the pool's top spot on goal differential.
Instead, the defending champions meet Finland, third in Pool B, while No. 2 Russia takes on the Czechs in Wednesday's quarter-finals.
The U.S. had already secured the bye in Pool B prior to Monday's game against the Finns and the Russians nailed down second spot with a 4-3 victory over the Swiss.
Sweden led 3-0 heading into the third period on goals from Oscar Moller of the Western Hockey League's Chilliwack Bruins, Patrik Berglund, a first-round draft pick of the St. Louis Blues, and Tomas Larsson. Robin Figren of the Edmonton Oil Kings also scored.
Goaltender Jhonas Enroth picked up his third win of the tournament, stopping 25 shotws.
Antonin Boruta and Jakub Sklenkar replied for the Czechs and goaltender Jakub Kovar made 14 saves on 18 shots in the loss.
Sweden won its lone gold medal at this tournament in 1981. They finished eighth in 2003, but have crept up the standings each year since to fourth in 2007.
"Our heart is there," Figren said. "Every game, we're there working for each other and everything in the locker room is focusing on the game 100 per cent and we're going out and showing up every shift."
The Swedes have a dozen NHL draft picks in their lineup, including Mikael Backlund, a first-round choice of the Calgary Flames this year.
The three Canadian Hockey Leaguers on the team are Figren, Oscar Moller of the Chilliwack Bruins and Mario Kempe of the St. John Fog Devils.
