Mar 3, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (88) skates against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Rogers Arena. The San Jose Sharks won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns is advancing to the final of the IIHF World Championships in Prague after his Canadian team defeated the host nation of the Czech Republic by a 2-0 final score in the first semifinal matchup earlier today.
Burns registered three shots on goal while leading Team Canada with 22 minutes and 54 seconds of ice time as the Canadians peppered Ondrej Pavelec with 41 shots. Burns is second in the entire tournament in points by a defenseman with 11 points (two goals and nine assists) through nine games.
Tomas Hertl did not feature in the game once again for the host nation. Hertl as one goal and two assists thus far in the tournament.
Meanwhile in the other semifinals matchup, it was Team Russia defeating Ben Smith and Team USA by a 4-0 final. The Americans will now square off against the Czech Republic in the third place game, while the Russians and Canadians will battle it out for the title.
Smith had his two-game goal scoring streak snapped as the Russians avenged an earlier loss at the hands of Team USA. Smith has two goals in the tournament, the same number that he posted in his time with San Jose.
The tournament wraps up tomorrow with the third place game between the Czechs and the Americans taking place before the championship game between two of hockey’s heavyweights as the Canadians and Russians square off. Russia won last year’s world championships and will look to make it back-to-back.