The United States progressed directly to the semi-finals as they thrashed Canada 6-2 ©IIHF

The United States progressed directly to the semi-finals as they thrashed Canada 6-2 at the International Ice Hockey Federation Women's Under-18 World Championships in Russia.

The American side secured top spot in Group A with a comfortable win at the Ice Palace Dmitrov.

The result, the biggest winning margin recorded between the two rivals at this level, also condemned Canada to a place in the quarter-finals.

It will be the first time the Canadian side has been forced to play a last eight clash in the history of the women's under-18 tournament.

Sweden also made it straight through to the semi-finals as they edged Russia 2-0 in the other match in Group A.

Dominique Petrie opened the scoring for the US in the first period before Margaret Connors quickly levelled for Canada.

Casey O'Brien restored the US lead in the second stanza and Allyson Simpson added a third shortly after to put the American team in control.

Germany boosted their chances of progressing to the last eight with a narrow 2-1 win over Switzerland in Pool B ©IIHF
Germany boosted their chances of progressing to the last eight with a narrow 2-1 win over Switzerland in Pool B ©IIHF

Two goals from Taylor Heise effectively ended the match as a contest as they put the US 5-1 in front.

It was to get worse for Canada as Abigail Murphy scored a sixth early in the third before Audrey-Anne Veillette struck a late consolation.

In Pool B, Germany boosted their chances of progressing to the last eight with a narrow 2-1 win over Switzerland.

Naemi Bar broke the deadlock for Germany but their lead did not last long as Switzerland responded through Rahel Enzler.

Lilli Welcke edged her side 2-1 in front in the second stanza and that was how it remained when the final whistle was blown.