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FRIBOURG – Jet Greaves made 34 saves as Canada blanked the United States 4-0 in quarterfinal action Thursday at the world hockey championship.
The Americans pressured at different points, including early in the third period, but Greaves turned them aside as Canada advanced to the semifinals three months after losing to the U.S. in the Olympic final.
“I didn’t realize the calmness and the poise, and his ability to read the play,” Canadian forward John Tavares said of the Columbus Blue Jackets netminder. “He makes the saves, but it’s not always conventional, but that’s because we had two or three breakdowns. But he was calm and tonight came up with the big save when we needed it. He was the best player on the ice tonight, for sure.”
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Macklin Celebrini scored his sixth goal of the tournament for Canada.
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Dylan Holloway, Connor Brown and Sidney Crosby also scored for Canada.
Crosby’s goal into an empty net was his first of the tournament, though he entered the quarterfinals tied for the tournament lead with nine assists.
Devin Cooley made 34 saves for the U.S., which entered the tournament as defending champion.
The two teams met for the first time since the final at the Milan Cortina Olympics, when the Americans prevailed 2-1 in overtime to take gold.
Canadian defenceman Evan Bouchard left the game after taking a hit to the head from U.S. defenceman Ryan Lindgren at 6:12 of the opening period.
Lindgren received a five-minute major for a hit to the head and a game misconduct.
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Bouchard appeared unconscious on the ice following the collision.
“It was tough to see ‘Booch’ in that spot,” Tavares said. “We didn’t like the hit, but we created some looks on the power play, even if we didn’t take the lead. But we got another power play and got the lead with that.”
The 26-year-old Edmonton Oilers blueliner led all NHL defencemen in scoring last season with 95 points, including 21 goals and 72 assists.
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Canada remains on course to capture its 29th title at the worlds.
Finland also advanced to Saturday’s semifinals with a 4-1 win over Czechia on Thursday.
The other quarterfinals had Switzerland facing Sweden and Norway meeting Latvia.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 28, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press