Canada’s Sidney Crosby celebrates with Macklin Celebrini after scoring a goal during the game in Fribourg, Switzerland, on Thursday.Anthony Anex/The Canadian Press
Jet Greaves made 34 saves, Macklin Celebrini scored his sixth goal and Canada blanked the United States 4-0 in quarterfinal action Thursday at the world hockey championship.
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 three months ago, when the Americans prevailed 2-1 in overtime to take the gold medal.
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.
Bouchard appeared unconscious on the ice following the collision.
The 26-year-old Edmonton Oilers blueliner led all NHL defencemen in scoring last season with 95 points, including 21 goals and 72 assists.
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.
Canada’s Fraser Minten in action with Justin Faulk and Devin Cooley of the U.S.ANTHONY ANEX/Reuters