IIHF Worlds: Americans ease into semifinals

Lane Hudson and his American teammates had no trouble eliminating the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals of the World Men’s Hockey Championship, winning 3-0 in Tampere on Thursday.

A Montreal Canadiens’ blue-line opportunity assisted on America’s first goal. Picking up speed in the offensive zone, Hudson threw a pitch and was allowed to return by Karel Vejmelka. Matt Coronado scored when he jumped and pivoted.

read more: Canada will have its hands full against Finland

Nick Perbigs doubled the American lead in the second period with a veiled shot that came in perfectly. In the third period, the team’s leading scorer, Cutter Gauthier, also hit the target with a major league shot.

While the Philadelphia Flyers are second in the league with seven goals, Dominik Kubalik, who was at the top of the ladder with eight, has been silenced. This was the case for the entire Czech attack, which came 15 times against goalkeeper Casey Desmyth.

America was the only undefeated during the early stages.

Germany surprises

In Riga, Switzerland looked to continue their dream run against Germany, but the latter ran away with a 3-1 win and played spoilsport.

While the Americans dominated Group A, the Swiss team topped Group B after impressive wins over Canada and the Czech Republic in particular. However, the Swiss were pipped by Latvia in their last preliminary clash and their setbacks continued against Germany.

Forwards Jan Pieterka and Niko Sturm converted within 36 seconds to give their country a healthy lead in the second period. Switzerland’s defense suffered greatly in this game, allowing the third goal on a penalty kill.

Goaltender Robert Meyer didn’t look too good either in the first period when Maximilian Kastner let a long puck slide behind him. New Jersey Devils defender Jonas Seigenthaler was the only Swiss scorer.

Other quarter-final matches between Canada and Finland and Sweden and Latvia will be played later in the day.