Ovechkin, Russia advance to gold-medal game with shutout win over United States

Sergei Bobrovsky stopped all 35 shots and both Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin scored, as Russia defeated the United States 4-0 in their World Championship semifinal Saturday to advance to the gold-medal game in Prague.

All the offense came in the final period. Ovechkin scored midway through the frame and Malkin added an empty-netter, setting up a clash with Canada on Sunday.

Canada shut out the Czech Republic 2-0 on Saturday in the other semifinal.

U.S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and Bobrovsky kept the game scoreless through 40 minutes, making a combined 44 saves before Russia exploded in the third.

The U.S., which defeated Russia 4-2 in the preliminary round, finished round-robin play atop Group B with a 5-1-0-1 record.

Russia defeated Finland to earn gold in last year's tournament.