IMATRA, Finland -- Canada is off to the semifinal round at the world under-18 hockey championship, thanks to Travis Konecny. zapatillas new balance 574. Konecnys third-period goal earned Canada a 3-2 quarter-final victory over Switzerland on Thursday. He scored with 30 seconds remaining in regulation after Switzerland had tied it earlier in the period. Switzerland pulled goalie Gauthier Descloux for the extra attacker afterwards but couldnt beat Canadian netminder Mason McDonald to force overtime. "I think its the same old story, were finding a way," Canadian team coach Kevin Dineen said after the game. "But weve got to do a much better job of showing up the way we play. "Hockey Canada put together some good character players and some talented players. I think weve survived on our talent, now we have to start relying on a little more character." Canada, which finished the preliminary round atop Group A, faces the Czech Republic in the semifinals Saturday in Lapeenranta, Finland. The Czechs, who were second to the U.S. in Group B, advanced with 3-2 quarter-final win over Russia here. John Quenneville and Jake Virtanen had the other goals for Canada, the defending tournament champion. McDonald stopped 19 shots. Dominik Diem and Kevin Fiala replied for Switzerland, which outshot Canada 21-17 but was just 1-for-7 on the man advantage. "Our penalty kill really stood out and I give a lot of credit to our defence, they had a really solid game," Dineen said. "That group really made a difference for us, it was a really satisfying win from that perspective." However, Dineen felt his players didnt make things easy for themselves throughout the game. "Undisciplined penalties, I thought, were an issue for us," he said. "We put ourselves in a lot of disadvantages, not just in terms of manpower but wearing out the body over and over. "Also, our puck decisions have to be better, both in our defensive zone and at the opponents blue-line. I think we were just a little bit too cute and it kept on coming back on us." Diem opened the scoring at 7:50 of the first before Virtanen tied it on the power play at 17:28. Quenneville, a second cousin to Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville, had the lone goal of the second, putting Canada ahead 2-1 with an even-strength marker at 11:58. But the Swiss tied it again on Fialas power-play goal at 15:43 of the third, setting the stage for Konecnys late-period heroics. "We got the right guys on the ice and fortunately ended up with the puck," Dineen said "Even though it wasnt overtime it was pretty dramatic nonetheless. "I thought the Swiss played a heck of a game, they were the better team for stretches. We mightve learned a pretty good lesson and survived this one. Were not going to be that fortunate against the Czechs. Were going to have to change the way we do our business to have that success." Dineen saw some of the Czech Republic-Russia game and was impressed with the Czechs resilience. "I thought in all honesty the Russians played very well but obviously they (Czechs) are a worthy opponent and found a way to stick around," Dineen said. "Theyre pesky and at the end of the night ended up with the win." The Americans take on Sweden in the other semifinal Saturday. The U.S. beat Slovakia 6-2 in its quarter-final game while the Swedes advanced with a lopsided 10-0 victory over Finland. The semifinal victors will meet Sunday in the tournament final after the losers square off in the bronze medal game. nike roshe run hombre baratas . Canada dropped a 24-21 decision to Zimbabwe before bouncing back with a 10-7 win over Spain. All three sides finished with seven points apiece in Pool E to move on to the final eight while the Philippines was last with only three points. adidas zx 700 baratas . "I like the toughness factor in certain situations where last year and two years ago wed get bumped, get hit [and] wouldnt respond," Casey said an hour and a half before facing the league-best Thunder, a team that hadnt yet lost at home.The NHLs Mar. 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell while figuring out which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value. Check out todays trade-related reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. And follow TSN.ca through Deadline Day for all the updates. Miller Time TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun writes on ESPN.com that Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray is already hearing calls for his pending unrestricted free agents. "Were just starting to explore the market the last day or two," Murray said. "Ive had some calls, and most of the calls are just generalities: If I can meet your demand, would you be willing to move him? So you have teams calling, for sure, and theyre asking about different players. Every team has a different need; the same names come up, obviously, as far as the forwards go. My mandate here is to get better. I dont want a five-year rebuild, thats not what Im about. Its about getting better, and if that means trading guys and getting assets for them, then thats the way it will be." Murray is also considering all of his options with pending UFA Ryan Miller, including the possibility of re-signing him. LeBrun adds that if Miller isnt interested in staying, Murray will move him at the trade deadline. Sticking With The Tandem Michael Traikos of The National Post wriites that Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis admitted that he has been received several calls regarding goaltenders Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer, but has no intentions to break them up right now. new balance 574 niños baratas. "I havent thought that too far, but could I see a scenario where both goalies were back next season? Yes," he told the paper. "Weve gone this far because of our goaltending. Jon is on a bit of a roll, but James has been really good for us. "I would never write James Reimer off." Oilers Options Jonathan Willis writes in the Edmonton Journal that while a skilled veteran forward like Ales Hemsky could be appealing to another NHL team, the Oilers have needs (size up front and blue line help) that the return on trading Hemsky trade wont address. Willis suggests a player like Jordan Eberle or Nail Yakupov – younger players with attractive contracts right now - would be more helpful. Time To Talk? Newsdays Arthur Staple writes that contract talks could begin soon between the Thomas Vaneks agent and the New York Islanders. If Vanek isnt willing to re-sign a long-term deal, Staple thinks theyll dangle him at the trade deadline. Staple adds that theres been talks between the Islanders and soon-to-be UFA blueliner Andrew MacDonald. Staple says hes seeking a contract at about $5 million per season. cheap jerseys from china cheap jerseys ' ' ' |