INNSBRUCK, Austria, May 5 (UPI) -- Two goals by Rick Nash Thursday carried Canada past the United States, 3-1, at the World Hockey Championships.
The game was the last in Group B play, but both teams advanced to the qualifying round.
New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur made 34 saves for Canada, which finished group competition eith a 3-0 record. The Canadians will meet Group C winner Sweden on Saturday in the opening game of the qualifying round.
The lone American goal came from Mike Knuble of the Philadelphia Flyers. The United States wound up second in Group B and will take on Finland on Friday.
In other group games Thursday, the Czech Republic defeated Kazakhstan, 1-0; Latvia downed Slovenia, 3-1; and Switzerland coasted past Germany, 5-1.
Germany was eliminated from medal contention.
