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Worlds: Gauthier Scores Again, USA to the Semis |
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Team USA advanced to the semifinal round of the 2023 IIHF World Championship with a dominating 3-0 victory over Czechia in a quarterfinal game on Thursday. The Americans went 7-0-0 during the round-robin preliminaries but, of course, that doesn't mean anything once the single-elimination medal round starts.
Czech goalie Karel Vejmelka (Arizona Coyotes) limited the first period damage to a single goal as Team USA took a 1-0 lead and 11-2 shots on net advantage on a goal by Calgary Flames prospect Matt Coronato at the 12:04 mark. Coronato tallied on a turnaround shot off of a Lane Hutson (Montreal Canadiens) rebound as the puck went off two defenders' skates and into the net.
In the second period, Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Nick Perbix built a 2-0 lead for the Americans. Through 40 minutes, shots were 25-11 in favor of the Americans.
At 9:57 of the third period, Flyers 2022 first-round pick Cutter Gauthier opened a 3-0 edge for Team USA as he scored on a bang-bang play directly off a TJ Tynan (Ontario Reign/LA Kings) faceoff win. It was Gauthier's seventh goal and ninth point of the tournament.
The final shot on goal disparity was 34-15. Phantoms/Flyers defenseman was a healthy scratch for Team USA for the second straight game and the fourth tine in the last five matches.
Later today, Team Canada (Scott Laughton) will play Finland.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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