USA eliminated at hockey worlds

[Bronx33]

For the second straight year, the Czechs found themselves involved another shootout against the Americans at the worlds. This time, the result was different.

* RELATED: 2005 World Hockey Championship Tracker

Czech Republic's goalkeeper Tomas Vokoun, left, tries to stop USA's Adam Hall during their quarter-final match at the world hockey championship in Austria. (AP Photo/Rudi Blaha)

The United States blew a two-goal lead in the third period, eventually losing 3-2 in a dramatic shootout to the Czech Republic at the hockey worlds on Thursday.

"It's disappointing to lose, very difficult," said U.S. coach Peter Laviolette. "I thought our guys left it all out on the ice and that's really all you can ask for."

* FROM MAY 12, 2005: Canada advances to semis at hockey worlds

Martin Rucinsky was the only player to score in shootout, as the Czechs exacted a little revenge after getting upset by the Americans in the quarters at the worlds last year.

The Czechs will play Sweden, which edged Switzerland 2-1, in one semifinal on Saturday, while Canada will meet Russia in the other.

Canada defeated Slovakia 5-4; Russia beat Finland 4-3 in a shootout.

Thanks to some outstanding goaltending from Rick DiPietro, Team USA built a 2-0 lead after two periods on goals by Mike Modano and Mark Parrish.

The Czechs, however, rallied back in the third as Marek Zidlicky and Jaroslav Spacek found the net.

After a 10-minute overtime failed to produce a winner, the game went to a shootout. Vokoun was perfect, turning aside Mike Knuble, Doug Weight, Modano and Parrish before facing the last U.S. shooter.

Andy Roach, a defenceman in Europe who beat the Czechs with a shootout goal in last year's quarter-finals, tried to score with his noted backhand, but Vokoun made a glove save to send his teammates flying off the bench.

DiPietro's only mistake in the shootout was giving Rucinsky an easy open net after the goaltender failed on an attempted pokecheck.

The U.S. netminder did, however, finish the game with 49 saves. Vokoun made 25 stops.

Russia 4, Finland 3

Russia will face Canada in the semifinals after beating Finland 4-3 Thursday.

The still-undefeated Russians won the contest on a shootout. Alexei Yashin, Pavel Datsyuk and Maxim Afinogenov all scored for Russia.

The Finns could only muster two goals in the shootout, by Niklas Hagman and Niko Kapanen. Olli Jokinen, Petteri Nummelin and Ville Peltonen all missed their penalty shots.