U.S. beats Russia, advances to world junior semifinals

Buffalo, N.Y. — Kieffer Bellows scored his second goal with 7:29 left in the third period and the United States defeated Russia 3-2 in a world junior quarterfinal on Tuesday night.

Kailer Yamamoto also had a goal, Joey Anderson added an empty-netter and Joseph Woll made 27 saves for the defending champion Americans, who will play Sweden in the semifinals on Thursday.

Sweden held on for a 3-2 quarterfinal win over Slovakia earlier in the day to remain unbeaten in the tournament. Canada will play the Czech Republic in the other semifinal. Drake Batherson scored twice as Canada earned an 8-2 quarterfinal win over Switzerland. Kristian Reichel and Martin Necas scored shootout goals for the Czech Republic in a 4-3 win over Finland.

Bellows, the New York Islanders’ first-round draft pick in 2016, skated into a slap shot for the winning goal. Dylan Samberg’s indirect pass of the end boards bounced back to meet Bellows at the left face-off circle.

The U.S. took a 1-0 lead on Bellows’ power-play goal 2:18 into the game. Marsel Sholokhov tied it for Russia before Yamamoto put back the rebound of his own shot to make it 2-1 late in the first period.

Andrei Altybarmakyan had the tying goal for Russia early in the third period. Vladislav Sukhachyov made 39 saves.

Isac Lundestrom scored two goals in Sweden’s victory. Fabian Zetterlund scored the other goal, making it 2-0 early in the second period. Martin Bodak had both goals for Slovakia. Roman Durny made 36 saves.

Brett Howden added a goal and two assists for Canada, which won Group A with three wins and a shootout loss. Cale Makar, Jordan Kyrou, Conor Timmins, Dillon Dube and Maxime Comtois also scored.