U.S. Routs Russia to Advance to In-Line Semifinals

The United States rolled to a 19-1 victory over Russia Wednesday to gain a berth in the semifinals of the World In-Line Hockey Championships at Disney ICE.

Joe Cook scored 14 seconds into the game to set the tone, as the U.S. completed group play in which it outscored three opponents, 46-6.

The U.S. will meet Switzerland in a 7:30 p.m. semifinal Friday. The Swiss fell, 5-4, to Canada, which was unbeaten in three Group B games and will meet Finland in Friday’s other semifinal, at 4:30 p.m.

Hugo Belanger’s second goal of the game, with 2:20 remaining in the final quarter, gave Canada its victory.

Victor Gervais also scored twice for Canada, which rallied after Switzerland scored three goals in a row to take a 4-3 lead in the third quarter.

In other games, Germany defeated Austria, 14-5, and Finland topped Italy, 10-4. Germany tied Switzerland for second place in Group B, but the Swiss advanced to the semifinals on a better goal differential.