Swiss a stiff test, but U.S. advances

The United States still has yet to trail at the world junior hockey championship, just getting past a feisty Switzerland squad by a 3-2 final in Monday’s quarter-final in Toronto.

Jordan Greenway scored the goahead goal and eventual game-winner six-plus minutes into the third period after the Swiss rallied from a 2-0 first-period deficit. Jeremy Bracco added a goal and assist and Tyler Parsons made 19 saves for the Americans, who will face Russia in a Wednesday semifinal at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

A projected top-10 pick at the 2017 NHL draft, Nico Hischier scored both goals for Switzerland, which held the U.S. to just two second-period shots and outshot them 21-17.

The Americans are looking for their first gold medal at the event since 2013, when a squad brimming with future NHLers, including Johnny Gaudreau and Alex Galchenyuk, edged past Sweden in Ufa, Russia.

RUSSIA 4, DENMARK 0

Kirill Kaprizov scored twice as Russia defeated Denmark 4-0 in the quarter-finals in Toronto.

Russia will face the United States in Wednesday’s semifinals at Montreal’s Bell Centre. The Russians have medals at six consecutive world junior tournaments, but just one gold medal — in 2011 — in that span.

Kaprizov’s two goals put the 19-year-old Minnesota Wild prospect past Sweden’s Alex Nylander for the tournament lead in points at the under-20 tournament with 10.

Alexander Polunin and Pavel Karnaukhov had Russia’s other goals while Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Samsonov turned aside 14 shots for his second shutout of the tournament. Philadelphia Flyers draft pick Mikhail Vorobyov had two assists in the win to take over the tournament lead with eight assists.

Danish starter Lasse Petersen allowed two goals on nine shots in the first period and was relieved by Kasper Krog to start the second.

SWEDEN 8, SLOVAKIA 3

Tim Soderlund and Joel Eriksson Ek each scored twice as Sweden defeated Slovakia in their quarter-final in Montreal.

Sweden will face Canada in the semifinal on Wednesday, following Monday’s quarter-final match in which Canada topped the Czech Republic 5-3.

Carl Grundstrom, Alexander Nylander, Fredrik Karlstrom and Lias Andersson also scored as Sweden outshot Slovakia 50-18.

Swedish goalie Felix Sandstrom made 15 saves for his fourth win of the tournament.