U.S. moves on to semis with blowout win over Switzerland

James Hagens and Ryan Leonard potted a pair of goals apiece as the United States cruised past Switzerland 7-2 in the quarterfinals at the World Junior Championship on Thursday.

Gabe Perreault chipped in three assists for the defending champions, who advanced to the semifinal round for the eighth time in 10 years.

The Americans scored four of their goals in the first period and took a 4-1 lead into the intermission. Brandon Svoboda opened the scoring before Hagens and Leonard tallied for a 3-0 lead. Nils Rhyn got one back for the Swiss, but Danny Nelson replied less than two minutes later to restore the three-goal advantage.

Zeev Buium went end-to-end and fed Perreault, who got it back to Buium for a highlight-reel goal to make it 5-1 in the second frame. Hagens and Leonard then buried their second goals of the game within a span of 1:20. Andro Kaderli scored Switzerland's second tally of the contest to cut it to a five-goal margin.

American goaltender Hampton Slukynsky made 17 saves in the victory, while Swiss netminder Christian Kirch got pulled after allowing three goals on 10 shots. Elijah Neuenschwander gave up the other four on 21 shots in relief.

The U.S. outshot Switzerland 31-19, including a 14-6 edge in the first period.

The Americans will face Czechia in Saturday's semifinals, while Finland will take on Sweden. The Czechs upset Canada in the quarters for the second straight year Thursday night.