The American men’s hockey team reached the semi-finals of the world championship

The US men’s ice hockey team defeated the Czech Republic 3-0 to advance to the semifinals of the World Cup, winning their eighth straight game to open the tournament.

The Americans got goals from the forwards of the Calgary Flames Matt CoronatoTampa Bay Lightning defenseman Nick Perbick and a rising sophomore at Boston College Cutter Gauthier. Pittsburgh Penguins’ Casey DeSmith saved all 15 shots at worlds hosted by Finland and Latvia.

The U.S. plays Germany in Saturday’s semifinals, looking to win its first gold or silver medal at the worlds since 1950 (silver). His only gold at the independent worlds came in 1933.

The U.S. has lost all 11 of its World Series semifinals since the IIHF reinstated the playoff round in 1992, including last year.

This year’s U.S. team, which includes three 2022 Olympians, has zero players with NHL All-Star experience for the first time at worlds since 2010. In most years, there have been one or two players with All-Star experience, while most choose to rest after seven-month NҺL campaign or are still playing in the NҺL playoffs.

However, the USA won all eight games under the San Jose Sharks head coach David Quinn, who also coached the team at the 2022 Olympics (quarterfinals) and the 2022 World Cup (fourth place). Before this year, the U.S. had never won more than six straight games to start the world.

NHL players have not participated in the last two Olympics, but are still eligible for world competitions and could return for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games.

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