BRATISLAVA, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Canada celebrated a clear 5-1 victory against the Czech Republic in the second semifinal game at the Ice Hockey World Championship on Saturday.
Canada will play Finland, which upset Russia 1-0 in the first semifinal game, in the final on Sunday.
Everything was going right for the Canadians from the beginning. Mark Stone directed Troy Stetcher's pass into the net five minutes into the game. Ten seconds into the second period, Darnell Nurse extended the lead to 2-0 on a quick shot from behind the goal on a wrap-around. Five minutes later, Jonathan Marchessault's cross pass found the open Pierre-Luc Dubois who had no trouble scoring and providing a comfortable 3-0 cushion.
The lead proved to be deciding as the Czechs failed to find a recipe for the great-skating and skillful defensive squad of Alain Vigneault. The Canadians added two more goals in the last period by Kyle Turris and Thomas Chabot to crush any hope of their opponents of tying the game.
The Czechs found a way past Canada's tremendous goalie Matt Muray with six minutes left. Tomas Zohorna scored the consolation goal and robbed the almost flawless Murray of his shutout on a great individual effort and a slalom through the defense.
Canada will be playing for gold after a two-year break. In 2016, the "maple leafs" were victorious in the final game against Russia. On Sunday afternoon, Russia and the Czech Republic will battle for bronze.
