US dethrone champions Russia, while Finns and Swedes go through

Russia’s forward Alexander Ovechkin (L) skates by US goalkeeper John Gibson during a quarter-final game Russia vs USA of the IIHF International Ice Hockey World Championship in Helsinki on May 16, 2013. The United States stunned reigning champions Russia 8-3 at the Helsinki Hartwall arena on Thursday to reach the semi-finals of the world ice hockey championships.

Stockholm (AFP): The United States stunned reigning champions Russia 8-3 on Thursday to reach the semi-finals of the world ice hockey championships.

US skipper Paul Stastny produced two goals and two assists, while Craig Smith pitched in with five assists to gain sweet revenge for a 5-3 defeat to Russia in the preliminary round.

The Americans’ 19-year-old goalie John Gibson, meanwhile, made 31 saves as the US registered their highest ever score against Russia.

“We all worked really hard on the ice today and it paid off as we made it to the semis,” St Louis Blues center TJ Oshie said.

Russia’s forward Alexander Radulov (L) fails to score past US goalkeeper John Gibson during a quarter-final game of the IIHF International Ice Hockey World Championship in Helsinki on May 16, 2013. The United States stunned reigning champions Russia 8-3.

“The key moment of the match was when we scored two goals within just a minute in the third period. We understood we can win. Besides, the luck was on our side today.”

Russia, who boosted their attacking line with Washington Capitals winger Alexander Ovechkin, started bravely, pinning their rivals back but the Americans defended stoutly replying on the counter-attacks.

Stastny put the US 1-0 up 11:53 into the match, while Oshie added his goal just 50 seconds later to lift the USA 2-0 up.

Alexander Svitov reduced the arrears with 4:30 left before the first intermission but Tampa Bay center Nate Thompson restored the US team’s two-goal lead 5:45 into the second.

US team captain Paul Stastny celebrates scoring during a quarter-final game of the IIHF International Ice Hockey World Championship in Helsinki on May 16, 2013. The USA beat Russia 8-3.

Montreal Canadiens center Alex Galchenyuk made it 4-1 for the US at 37:31 forcing Russian manager Zinetulla Bilyaletdinov to substitute his goalie Ilya Bryzgalov for Colorado Avalanche keeper Semyon Varlamov.

Ovechkin scored Russia’s second goal 1:33 into the third period but Ryan Carter replied with a shorthanded goal at 42:55, making it 5-2 for the USA.

Alexander Perezhogin netted Russia’s third but Jacob Trouba and David Moss added one apiece, while Stastny rounded off the scoring with his second of the match with 9:59 to go.

In the semis the United States will face Switzerland, who ousted last year’s bronze medalists Czech Republic 2-1.

The Swiss, who won all seven preliminary round encounters, grabbed the lead 5:45 into the match through Denis Hollenstein, who swept home a rebound after Ondrej Pavelec deflected his initial shot.

Nashville Predators rear guard Roman Josi added his powerplay goal 3:08 into the second to give Switzerland a comfortable 2-0 lead.

Defender Zdenek Kutlak reduced the arrears 5:29 into the third period with a powerplay goal but failed to save the day for the Czechs as Switzerland made the semis for the first time since 1998.

“It’s nice to be back in the quarter-finals,” said Swiss manager Sean Simpson.

“Switzerland has often been stuck in the quarter-finals and couldn’t make the jump to the semi-finals. I’m proud that this team has done it.”

Co-hosts Finland battled into the last four, beating last year’s runners-up Slovakia 4-3.

The Finns got off to a flying start scoring the opening goal through defender Ossi Vaananen, who sent the puck into the net from just inside the blue line just 1:31 into the match.

Petri Kontiola added a double before the first break for Finland’s commanding 3-0 advantage.

But the Slovaks closed the gap through Michel Miklik and Andrej Sekera, who scored one apiece in the second period, while Tomas Surovy equalised just 30 seconds into the third.

Juhamatti Aaltonen netted Finland’s fourth goal at 48:13.

In Saturday’s clash for a place in the final, Finland will take on the other hosting nation Sweden, who edged Olympic champions Canada 3-2 in a penalty shootout.

After a goalless first period Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos put Canada into the lead with his powerplay goal 45sec into the second.

In the third period the Swedes jumped into the lead courtesy of a double by Nicklas Danielsson, who scored both goals with powerful shots from the blue line also on powerplay.

Philadelphia Flyers right wing Claude Giroux made it 2-2 with nine minutes remaining in the third period.

The opponents decided the winner in a penalty shootout after they failed to score in the overtime.

The hosts were just slightly more precise with their forward Fredrick Pettersson scoring the deciding goal.