Despite the fact that it was a premiere, neither team showed any jittery premiership nerves, but instead offered fast, undulating attacking ice hockey.
Despite the recently drafted trio of Juraj Slafkovsky, Simon Nemec and Filip Mesar nobbing JVM play, it was Slovakia who got off to the best start.
After just over three minutes, Slovakian Servac Petrovsky put in a fine performance as he easily accelerated past two defenders, held off, and lifted the puck high past Jan Bednar in the Czech Republic's goal.
The Czech Republic took off in the middle period
Just a couple of minutes later, Bednar had to whitewash his goal again.
This time after he himself was responsible for a goalie board.
Bednar dropped the puck in, seemingly undisturbed, after a shot by Matej Kaslik.
Then the Czech Republic lifted, but without getting a hole in Simon Latkoczy.
However, they got that right away in the second period.
Martin Rysavy reduced easily, to 1-2, after nice clap-clap play.
Before the middle act was over, the Czechs had deservedly turned the game around with two more goals.
One by Michal Gut and one by Matyas Sapovaliv.
Premier victory for the Czechs - Sweden plays on Wednesday
In the last period, Jan Mysak increased the score to 4–2 for the Czech Republic.
Then the Slovaks woke up and scored two quick powerplay goals.
With 3.12 remaining in regular match time, it was thus 4–4 on the scoreboard.
But there was no extension.
The Czech Republic's Gabriel Szturc put the 5-4 puck with 1.50 left in the match.
The match time ran out and the Czech Republic gets to celebrate a premiership victory.
Sweden opens the JVM by facing Switzerland tomorrow, Wednesday, at 20:00.