Czechs finish fourth at WJC

It was a disappointing end to the World Junior Hockey Championship for Ostap Safin, Radim Salda and the Czech Republic, but the team still managed to have their best finish since 2005.

The Czechs were defeated handily by the host United States in Friday's bronze medal game, falling 9-3. The game was never really close, but either way, the fourth place finish is the best for the Czechs since placing third at the 2005 tournament in Grand Forks.

Safin played very little again, not seeing any ice time in the first period and a total of 8:42 in the final two periods. He played just 4:43 in the team's semifinal loss to Canada on Thursday. He finished the tournament with a goal, two assists, six penalty minutes and 13 shots in seven games.

Salda finished the tournament pointless, but seemed to have his role increased as the tournament moved along.

Safin and Salda were the only two Saint John Sea Dogs taking part in this year's tournament.

Canada defeated Sweden 3-1 in Friday's gold medal game. The team featured Drake Batherson and Maxime Comtois from the QMJHL.