Canada advances to semifinals

After watching last-second heroics and a near upset in the first two games on quarter-final Saturday, Team Canada wanted nothing to do with any further drama at the world junior hockey championships.

But they were right in the heart of it when they hit the ice for the main event.

The stubborn Czech Republic refused to break against the heavily favoured Canadians, forcing them to fight for every inch of ice in a too-close-for-comfort 3-0 victory at Rogers Place.

“That was tough out there, the Czechs really battled hard,” said Canadian head coach Andre Tourigny, whose club couldn't exhale until an empty netter sealed it for good. “It was tough to win our one-on-one battles. They make you earn every shot on net. They played really well.

“They obviously don't have the depth and talent of other countries, but they have the heart and they play hard. They were tough to play against.”

The last place team in Pool B clogged things up, kept things close and gave the knot a chance to tighten, but the Canadians responded by keeping their cool and nursing a first-period lead all the way to the finish line.

It wasn't pretty or decisive by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, were it not for some clutch saves from Canadian goalie Devon Levi, who posted a 29-save shutout, and a couple of goals that Czech goalie Nick Malik might want back, it would have been very scary.

But the undefeated Canadians got all they wanted out it this game — a ticket to Monday's semifinal showdown against Russia. The lesson in tough playoff hockey didn't hurt, either.

“Going forward, it's going to be the same way,” said Canadian winger Peyton Krebs. “It was a good hockey game, we grinded away every period. It was a lot of fun.”