United States, Canada advance at world championships

Canada's Steven Stamkos (center) fights for the puck between two Czech defenders.

Fredrik Sandberg/Landov

HELSINKI (AP) -- The United States and Canada clinched spots in the quarterfinals of the ice hockey world championships Sunday with their fifth wins of the tournament.

The Americans beat Germany 3-0 behind the goal-tending of 19-year-old John Gibson, while Jeff Skinner scored the game-winner in the third period in Canada's 2-1 win over the Czech Republic.

In Helsinki, Bobby Butler and Paul Stastny scored within the first five minutes for the U.S., and Stephen Gionta put the game away midway through the third period. Gibson finished with 30 saves.

In Stockholm, Skinner went around the net for a wraparound goal against the Czechs. Wayne Simmonds gave Canada the lead in the first period before Petr Koukal tied it six minutes later.