US routs Canada 7-2 in semifinal at under-18 hockey worlds

ZUG, Switzerland (AP) The United States defeated Canada 7-2 on Saturday to advance to the final of the under-18 world hockey championship.

Colin White had three goals and Auston Matthews two for the Americans, who outshot Canada 38-18. The Canadians, a three-time winner of this tournament, entered the game with five straight wins.

The U.S. will play for the gold medal Sunday against the winner of the Finland-Switzerland semifinal.

The Americans opened the third period with a one-goal lead before Matthews and White scored 32 seconds apart to make it 4-1. Mitchell Stephens cut into the deficit but Jordan Greenway answered for the U.S. White completed his hat trick. Matthews also scored in the second period after teammate Clayton Keller opened the scoring.

Deven Sideroff had Canada's other goal. Goalie Zach Sawchenko was pulled after giving up the fourth American goal early in the third period.