Perhaps inspired by the entire team’s trip to the Air Canada Centre in Toronto last night to see the Leafs play the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Czechs played determined hockey under difficult circumstances.

They had advanced to the bronze-medal game a year ago, but weren’t able to make it as far, despite having 16 returnees. Nevertheless, the team finished on a high note and will be ready for a strong tournament at the 2017 WW18 in the top division.

The Finns finished 5^th four years in a row prior to this 6^th-place ending in 2016.

Kamila Smetkova scored in each of the first two periods to key the win. Her first came midway through the opening period on a power play, and her second came late in the second with teams playing five a side.

Adela Juzkova added a goal in the third, and although Sofia Sahlstrom added a late goal for Finland, it was too little, too late.