Ovechkin, Malkin lead Russia to 5-2 win over Finland in final at ice hockey worlds

MINSK, Belarus - Defending champion Sweden blanked the Czech Republic 3-0 Sunday to earn the bronze at the ice hockey world championship.

Joakim Lindstrom scored early and Simon Hjalmarsson netted another one in the opening period for Sweden to take control.

Mikael Backlund rounded off the win with a wrist shot past goaltender Alexander Salak in the third.

The Czechs failed to score for the second straight match after Finland blanked them 3-0 in Saturday's semifinals.

Sweden had to settle for the third-place game after a 3-1 loss to Russia.

Russia faces Finland in the final later Sunday.