U.S. eliminates Russia 5-3; Tkachuk scores four goals

The Associated Press

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Keith Tkachuk had four goals and an assist to lead the United States into the World Cup of Hockey semifinals with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over Russia.

The St. Louis Blues forward -- normally the target of boos at the Minnesota Wild's Xcel Energy Center -- was the difference for the Americans, who avenged last week's loss to the Russians by eliminating them from the tournament.

The United States will play either Finland or the Czech Republic, who advanced from the European Division, on Friday night in St. Paul. Canada hosts Slovakia in Toronto on Wednesday with the final semifinal berth on the line.

After Russia made it 2-all with a quick goal in the third period, Tkachuk had a chance to score after Russia's Dmitry Kalinin turned the puck over in the neutral zone. His shot deflected off a defender's stick, but Scott Gomez of the New Jersey Devils was there to punch a shot past goalie Ilya Bryzgalov at 4:25.

Just 22 seconds later, Bill Guerin made a nice pass from the left circle to a cutting Tkachuk, who scored his fourth goal of the tournament to give the United States a 4-2 lead.

Russia pulled to 4-3 with 8:56 to play when Ilya Kovalchuk's slap shot from the left circle beat Robert Esche's glove during a four-minute power play. Russia couldn't convert on the second half of the advantage, created when Brian Leetch cut Dainuis Zubrus in the face with a high stick.

But the Americans played tight defense the rest of the way and Tkachuk added an empty netter with 54.7 seconds to play to seal the victory. Canada's Mario Lemieux also scored four goals in a game during the 1987 Canada Cup, the tournament that predated the World Cup.

Again opting for a younger lineup, U.S. coach Ron Wilson scratched Brett Hull, Craig Conroy, Brian Rolston and Eric Weinrich. The quicker team helped defeat winless Slovakia last week for the United States' lone win in round robin play, and Wilson didn't want a repeat of his team's lackluster play in its 3-1 loss to Russia.

Last week, the Russians started off fast against the sluggish Americans. On Tuesday, the United States was more aggressive on both ends of the ice.

The Americans led 1-0 with Tkachuk's first goal at 11:20. After Mike Modano worked his way into the slot, he airmailed the puck toward the net, and Tkachuk tapped a shot past Bryzgalov.

Tkachuk's second goal made it 2-0 at 1:56 of the second, when Guerin found him with a pretty pass from behind the net.

But Russia closed to 2-1 when Dmitry Afanasenkov beat Esche's stick with a low shot at 7:14.

The Americans had a chance to add another second-period goal on a penalty shot by Jason Blake, but his shot at the 8:08 mark was high enough that Bryzgalov was able to stop it with his body.

Russia tied it 36 seconds into the third period after a U.S. turnover in the neutral zone. On a 3-on-1 break, Zubrus dropped a nice pass to Alexei Yashin. Yashin immediately zipped the puck back to Zubrus, who beat Esche's glove to make it 2-all.

Both teams had 21 shots.