Erie Otters goaltender Jaroslav Janus and Slovakia began the third period of today's first semifinal in the 2009 IIIHF World Junior Championship with a 2-1 lead. But Sweden scored four goals, three in a decisive 4 1/2-minute stretch midway through the third, to hand Slovakia a 5-3 loss, ending Janus and his native country's chance at playing for a gold medal.
Instead, Slovakia will face the loser of tonight's second semifinal between Canada and Russia in the bronze medal game on Monday at 3:30 p.m. at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ontario.
Janus stymied Sweden, a pre-tournament favorite, through two periods by stopping 30-of-31 shots. A day earlier, Janus stopped 46-of-49 shots in a quarterfinal upset of the United States.
Sweden's three-goal outburst in the third turned that 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead with less than eight minutes left. Slovakia rallied within 4-3 with 4:02 left. But Sweden scored with 1:17 left to secure its spot in Monday's 7:30 p.m. gold medal game against the Canada-Russia winner.

– Victor Fernandes