USA, Czechs reach quarter-finals at worlds

The USA and the Czech Republic won their games at the ice hockey world championships on Sunday to join Canada and Sweden in the tournament's quarter-finals.

New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson improved his record at the tournament to six goals after scoring twice and adding an assist to help the USA beat Slovenia 3-1.

Nelson put the USA 2-0 up with goals in the fifth and 17th minutes.

Slovenian forward Ales Music narrowed the difference on 27 minutes as the Americans lost momentum in the second period.

But Boston University forward Jack Eichel added a third one for the USA early into the final period as he touched the puck fired by Nelson at a gaping net, marring Nelson's attempt at a hat-trick.

The USA lead Group B, played in the eastern Czech city of Ostrava, ahead of Russia, Finland and Belarus, while Slovenia are relegated from the worlds as they sit last in the group with zero points from six games.

The Czechs beat Germany 4-2 after trailing their rivals twice.
Daniel Pietta scored on eight minutes to put Germany ahead, but Michal Vondrka, a fresh addition to the Czech team, levelled the score six minutes later.

German captain Michael Wolf scored early into the second period after a blunder by the Czech captain, Philadelphia wing Jakub Voracek, but the Czechs came level again through Petr Koukal two minutes later.

Voracek then made up for his mistake with a power-play goal in the 28th minute and Florida wing Jaromir Jagr rounded off the score four minutes from the end.

Jagr once again stretched his record as the oldest player ever to score at the worlds to 43 days and 85 days. He also recorded an assist, setting up Voracek with a spectacular blind pass.

Canada lead Group A, played in Prague, with a perfect record ahead of Sweden, the Czech Republic and Switzerland.
Source: AFP