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Worlds: Gauthier Scores Again, USA to the Semis |
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Team USA advanced to the semifinal round of the 2023 IIHF World Championship with a dominating 3-0 victory over Czechia in a quarterfinal game on Thursday. The Americans went 7-0-0 during the round-robin preliminaries but, of course, that doesn't mean anything once the single-elimination medal round starts.
Czech goalie Karel Vejmelka (Arizona Coyotes) limited the first period damage to a single goal as Team USA took a 1-0 lead and 11-2 shots on net advantage on a goal by Calgary Flames prospect Matt Coronato at the 12:04 mark. Coronato tallied on a turnaround shot off of a Lane Hutson (Montreal Canadiens) rebound as the puck went off two defenders' skates and into the net.
In the second period, Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Nick Perbix built a 2-0 lead for the Americans. Through 40 minutes, shots were 25-11 in favor of the Americans.
At 9:57 of the third period, Flyers 2022 first-round pick Cutter Gauthier opened a 3-0 edge for Team USA as he scored on a bang-bang play directly off a TJ Tynan (Ontario Reign/LA Kings) faceoff win. It was Gauthier's seventh goal and ninth point of the tournament.
The final shot on goal disparity was 34-15. Phantoms/Flyers defenseman was a healthy scratch for Team USA for the second straight game and the fourth tine in the last five matches.
Later today, Team Canada (Scott Laughton) will play Finland.