Sidney Crosby and Team Canada will advance to Saturday's semifinal, where they will meet Finland.
One year ago at the IIHF World Championship, shockwaves were sent through the hockey community after Denmark pulled off one of the biggest upsets in international history when they defeated Team Canada in the quarterfinal round, 2-1, with two late goals.
Canada certainly didn't want the same thing to happen this season, even against a different opponent. And, luckily, they were up to the task.
On Thursday, Team Canada exorcised its quarterfinal demons, defeating rival Team USA, 4-0, to advance to Saturday's semi-final, when they will take on Finland. Pittsburgh Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby recorded his first goal of the tournament in the form of an empty-netter, notching his 10th point of the tournament.
The game started off in controversy a little more than six minutes in when Team USA defenseman Ryan Lindgren was ejected for an illegal check to the head of Team Canada defenseman Evan Bouchard, who did not return. Canada failed to score on that five-minute man advantage, but they did cash in on a late-period power play goal by Macklin Celebrini to go up, 1-0.
Both teams had plenty of scoring chances in the middle frame as well - ending the period with 14 shots each - but they were having some trouble breaking through. That changed midway through the period when Dylan Cozens finally got one past US goaltender Devin Cooley to put Canada on top, 2-0.
Connor Brown and Crosby scored back-to-back empty-net goals for Canada nearing the end of the final frame to seal the 4-0 victory, and goaltender Jet Greaves earned the 34-save shutout.
Canada and Finland will face off in the semifinal at 2:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday, and the winner of that game will face the winner of Switzerland and Norway in the Final.
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