IIHF Worlds: Americans in the four aces without problem

BET À DAY

Lane Hutson and his American teammates had no trouble getting rid of the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals of the Men's Hockey World Championship, winning 3-0 on Thursday in Tampere.

< p>The Montreal Canadiens' blue-line prospect got an assist on the United States' first goal. Picking up speed in the offensive zone, Hutson fired a pitch and a return was allowed by Karel Vejmelka. Matt Coronato jumped on this one and scored while spinning.

Also read: Canada will have their hands full against Finland

Nick Perbix doubled the American lead with a veiled shot that came close to perfection in the second period. In the third period, the team's leading scorer, Cutter Gauthier, also hit the target with a major league shot.

While the Philadelphia Flyers prospect is second in tournament scoring with seven goals, the man at the top of the ladder with eight goals, Dominik Kubalik, has been silenced. This was also the case for the entire Czech attack, which came up against goalkeeper Casey DeSmith 15 times.

The United States were the only ones to remain undefeated during the preliminary phase.

Germany cause surprise

In Riga, Switzerland tried to continue their dream course against Germany, but the latter played the spoilsport by running away with a victory from 3 to 1.

While the Americans dominated Group A, the Swiss team had settled as the first seed in Group B after surprising gains over Canada and the Czech Republic, in particular. The Swiss, however, had been hooked by Latvia in their last preliminary duel and their setbacks continued against Germany.

Strikers John Peterka and Nico Sturm struck in turn in 36 seconds at the end of the second period to give their country a good lead. It was the Swiss defense that took the brunt of this game, allowing the third goal shorthanded.

Goalkeeper Robert Mayer didn't look very good either in the first period when he let slip very slowly behind him a puck shot from afar by Maximilian Kastner. New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler was the lone Swiss scorer.

The other quarter-final matches between Canada and Finland and Sweden and Latvia will follow later in the day.