FRIBOURG, Switzerland. Canada cruised to a 4-0 victory over the reigning champion United States on Thursday to secure a spot in the semifinals of the IIHF World Championship. The win provided a measure of revenge after a painful 2-1 overtime loss to the Americans in the Olympic final in February.
Macklin Celebrini opened the scoring late in the first period with a power-play goal, firing the puck into the top-right corner past goalie Devin Cooley for his sixth goal of the tournament.
Dylan Holloway doubled Canada’s lead midway through the second period on a breakaway, slamming home the puck on his second attempt.
The Americans mounted a furious third-period push, but Canadian goaltender Jet Greaves made several key saves to preserve the shutout. Connor Brown and Sidney Crosby each added empty-net goals late to seal the win.
In the other quarterfinal Thursday, Finland defeated the Czech Republic 4-1 to advance.