Russia fight back to set up IPC Sledge Hockey World Championship semi-final with Canada

Canada produced a third successive victory to set up a semi-final with Russia in Buffalo ©Hockey Canada

Canada, Norway, United States and Russia are the four teams to have made it through to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships A-Pool semi-finals in Buffalo, as round-robin action came to a close.

Defending champions Canada were made to work hard before winning Group A as action resumed following yesterday's rest day, edging Czech Republic 2-0.

Both goals came from Billy Bridges, while goaltender Corbin Watson recorded his third consecutive shutout of the tournament.

Canada will now face the tantalising prospect of a semi-final clash with Paralympic silver medallists Russia, after the European side dispatched Germany 10-0 in the final Group B encounter.

The Canadians, who had to settle with Paralympic bronze in Sochi last year, did not play the Russians on that occasion but were defeated by them 2-1 at February's World Sledge Hockey Challenge in Leduc.

But Sochi 2014 and World Sledge Hockey Challenge winners United States remain favourites to claim the global crown, as they eased past European champions Italy 7-0 to conclude an unbeaten preliminary phase.

Teenager Declan Farmer belied his 17 years by scoring twice, while Josh Pauls, Josh Misiewicz, Kevin McKee, Paul Schaus and Adam Page all also found the net in a dominant display.

United States, pictured celebrating their Sochi 2014 Paralympic title, are on course for World Championship gold ©Getty Images

The Americans will now face Norway for a place in the final, after the Scandinavian team ran out 5-0 victors over Japan for a second win of the competition.

Following a scoreless first period, Morten Vaernes broke the deadlock before Loyd-Remi Solberg hit a powerful second.

Further strikes came from Rolf Pedersen, Tor Joakim Rivera and Emil Sorheim.

The Norwegins will be firm underdogs against the US but are delighted with their tournament so far.

“We had great progress leading up to the tournament,” said goalscorer Vaernes.

“Making the semi-finals was our goal, because anything can happen there.”

Both semi-finals will take place at the HARBORCENTER in Buffalo, New York on Friday (May 1) after Czech Republic face Germany and Japan challenge Italy in two fifth-to-eighth place classification matches tomorrow.