Hockey: Tkachuk leads U.S. over Russia

The Associated Press

September 8, 2004

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The United States again went with a younger lineup, but it was the veteran line of Keith Tkachuk, Mike Modano and Bill Guerin that played ageless hockey.

Tkachuk had four goals - all assisted by Modano - and added an assist as the Americans' top line accounted for 11 points and led the United States into the World Cup of Hockey semifinals with a 5-3 victory last 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.

"We went through a lull last week," Tkachuk said. "We were tired, and when you're tired you cut corners. But these are elimination games and we're hitting our stride now."

Just in time, too. 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 today with the final semifinal berth on the line.

After being outworked against Canada and Russia last week, the Americans beat struggling Slovakia 3-1 but still looked like the underdog against the Russians. But the roles reversed in the rematch, with Russia making costly turnovers that the suddenly opportunistic Americans jumped on.

"The biggest mistake we made is we're not playing practical hockey like the U.S. and Canada play," Russia's Oleg Tverdovsky said. "That's why they're beating the European teams."

After Russia made it 2-all with a quick goal in the third period, Tkachuk had a chance to score again 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.

Czech Republic 6, Sweden 1: At Stockholm, Sweden, Milan Hejduk scored two goals as the Czech Republic routed Sweden.