Canada booked a place in the semi-finals of the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship with a 4-0 win over the defending champions, the United States, in Fribourg on Thursday. The victory represented a measure of revenge for Canada after their 2-1 overtime defeat to the Americans at the Winter Olympics in February.
The match was settled without the late drama that has marked some recent Canadian exits from international tournaments. Canada took the lead late in the first period when Macklin Celebrini converted a power-play opportunity, firing the puck into the top-right corner past the glove of United States goaltender Devin Cooley. That strike was Celebrinis sixth goal of the tournament.
Midway through the second period Dylan Holloway extended the advantage, finishing at the second attempt following a quick breakaway to make it 2-0 for Canada. The United States responded with a determined surge in the third period as they sought to keep their title defence alive, but they were unable to find the net.
Canadian goaltender Jet Greaves produced a series of important saves in the final period to preserve his shutout, denying the Americans during their most intense wave of pressure. With the United States pressing, Canada added two late goals into an empty net Connor Brown and Sidney Crosby to secure the 4-0 final score.
Elsewhere in the afternoons quarter-final schedule, Finland defeated the Czech Republic 4-1 to claim a semifinal berth. Two additional quarter-finals were scheduled for later on Thursday, with Norway facing Latvia and Sweden meeting hosts Switzerland.
Match facts:
- Final score: Canada 4, United States 0
- Scorers for Canada: Macklin Celebrini, Dylan Holloway, Connor Brown, Sidney Crosby
- Notable goaltending: Jet Greaves recorded the shutout
- Other quarter-final result: Finland 4, Czech Republic 1