Sweden power past USA to hockey semi-final
Sweden walloped the US in the World Championsip ice hockey quarter-final in Riga on Wednesday afternoon, clearing the way for a semi-final clash with Canada, who beat Slovakia.
The match hero for the Tre Kronor was Mika Hannula, with three goals in the 6-0 victory.
Hannula was an infrequent participant in Sweden's Olympic victory in Turin in February but since the World Championships began he has hit top form.
His first goal opened the scoring after less than three minutes, after a break from the left and a fierce shot which the US keeper Craig Anderson could not parry.
Just before the 16 minute mark Niklas Kronwall hit a low shot which Anderson stopped with his leg pads, but Hannula picked up the deflection and pushed it into an open goal.
In the second period Mikael Samuelsson added a third and Kenny Jönsson made it 4-0.
The quarter final was as good as over, but the Swedes had more to offer. After 8.41 in the third period Jonas Norduist found Hannula who cooly slotted home his third goal of the match.
With just a minute left on the clock, Andreas Karlsson added a sixth goal to the rout.
The semi-final with Canada, a repeat of the Olympic final, will be played on Saturday.
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The match hero for the Tre Kronor was Mika Hannula, with three goals in the 6-0 victory.
Hannula was an infrequent participant in Sweden's Olympic victory in Turin in February but since the World Championships began he has hit top form.
His first goal opened the scoring after less than three minutes, after a break from the left and a fierce shot which the US keeper Craig Anderson could not parry.
Just before the 16 minute mark Niklas Kronwall hit a low shot which Anderson stopped with his leg pads, but Hannula picked up the deflection and pushed it into an open goal.
In the second period Mikael Samuelsson added a third and Kenny Jönsson made it 4-0.
The quarter final was as good as over, but the Swedes had more to offer. After 8.41 in the third period Jonas Norduist found Hannula who cooly slotted home his third goal of the match.
With just a minute left on the clock, Andreas Karlsson added a sixth goal to the rout.
The semi-final with Canada, a repeat of the Olympic final, will be played on Saturday.
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