The LA Kings had a good showing at the 2024 IIHF World Championships, which concluded earlier today in Czechia.
Kevin Fiala and Team Switzerland advanced to the gold medal game against the host nation, and although losing, Fiala left with a slew of trophy from the event. Fiala and his teammates earned the silver medal, matching his country’s highest achievement in the top level. Fiala appeared in the gold-medal game at the World Championships for the second time in his career in 2024, adding a second silver medal to his collection after winning his first in 2018.
The 2024 #MensWorlds MVP is Kevin Fiala! pic.twitter.com/ttCmer8GK7
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 26, 2024
Individually, after joining the team for its third game of the tournament, Fiala scored 13 points (7-6-13) in eight games. His 13 points were second in the event and the highest of any player who won a medal. Fiala received various awards following the tournament’s completion. He was named the event’s Most Valuable Player and Best Forward. The media picked Fiala to the tournament’s All-Star Team, and he was named a Top-3 Player on Team Switzerland following his team’s quarterfinal victory over Canada. Fiala is Switzerland’s second-ever tournament MVP.
The remaining three LA Kings players competed in this morning’s bronze medal game. Adrian Kempe and Carl Grundstrom, representing Sweden, eventually defeated Pierre-Luc Dubois and Team Canada in a game in which all three players contributed significantly.
That’s a wrap from Worlds in Prague 🏒
🥈 Kevin Fiala (7G, 6A, 13P + Tournament MVP)
🥉 Carl Grundstrom (3G, 3P)
🥉 Adrian Kempe (6A, 6P)
🏒 Pierre-Luc Dubois (4G, 5A, 9P)#GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/FJrAbfWxcw— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 26, 2024
Grundstrom was the story of the game, scoring twice in the bronze-medal game, including the game-winning goal, to help Sweden win the bronze medal. Grundstrom finished the tournament with three goals in total, but was named his team’s best player in the bronze medal game triumph. Kempe was scoreless in his final game, although he finished the tournament with six assists from ten games, one shy of the team lead.
“It feels really good,” Grundstrom stated following the bronze medal game. “It’s always nice to finish off the season here with a win, so it’s a great feeling.”
Sweden will host the event next season on its own soil.
Dubois scored in the bronze medal game against Sweden, capping up a good individual tournament with nine points (5-4-9) in 10 games. He finished third on Team Canada’s scoring list throughout the tournament and was the only player on his team with four or more goals and four or more assists in the 10 games he played. Ultimately, Team Canada finished fourth after losing to Fiala’s Switzerland yesterday and then Sweden today.
“The really tough loss was last night because we wanted to play for a gold medal today, but we also wanted to win our final game and take home a bronze medal.” “Today stings, but the semifinal stings even more,” Dubois told Hockey Canada. “Every time you come to the World Championship, you meet incredible people. Some are new players, while others are familiar faces, and I had a fantastic time with this bunch. After a month together, it’s difficult to come so close to playing in the gold medal game but lose in a shootout.”