HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, May 16 (UPI) -- Mike Green's second-period goal Friday turned out to be the decisive score in Canada's 5-4 win over Sweden in the semifinals of the World Hockey Championship.

Canada will take on Russia in the gold medal game Sunday. The Russians blanked Finland in the other semifinal 4-0 behind Evgeni Nabokov's 23 saves.

Green's goal boosted Canada to a 5-3 lead with seven seconds remaining in the second period. Fredrik Warg brought Sweden within one with 5:39 left in regulation but Canada held on in the closing moments, winning three straight faceoffs in the defensive zone.

Dany Heatley and Ryan Getzlaf each had a goal and assist for Canada.

Russia will get a boost in the title game when Ilya Kovalchuk returns from a one-game suspension, imposed when he received a game misconduct in the quarterfinals against Switzerland.

The Canadians will be looking for their second straight world championship. It will be the Russians' first appearance in the gold medal game since 2002, when they lost a 4-3 decision to Slovakia.

Byrd takes lead at AT&T Classic

DULUTH, Ga., May 16 (UPI) -- Jonathan Byrd posted his second straight 66 Friday and took a three-shot lead at the midway point of the AT&T Classic in Duluth, Ga.

Byrd, a three-time winner on the PGA Tour, was part of a five-way tie after the opening round. He birdied seven of the first 14 holes at the TPC-Sugarloaf course Friday.

His 132 two-day total put him in front of Kenny Perry and Ryan Palmer, both of whom shot a 69 to stand at 135. Charles Howell III' title='Charles Howell III' class='tpstyle'>Charles Howell III (69), David Toms (69) and Parker McLachlin (70) were all at 136.

The suspended first round was completed early Friday, although Franklin Langham did not return to the course to finish his opening 18 holes.

Langham was 22-over par with one hole to play when darkness halted play Thursday. He began the tournament with a 13 at the par-5 10th hole, and then had a triple bogey and three double bogeys.

Kyle Busch wins all-star pole

CONCORD, N.C., May 16 (UPI) -- Kyle Busch won the pole Friday for Saturday night's running of the Sprint All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

In the unique qualifying competition, Busch turned a lap and his pit crew completed a four-tire stop in a total of 2 minutes, 01.956 seconds.

Jeff Gordon won the outside spot in the first row with a time of 2:02.494. Gordon has won this event three times.

The second row will be made up of Kurt Busch and Martin Truex Jr.

The event will be the last for 1999 series champion Dale Jarrett, who has already retired from active racing.

"It's just an opportunity to say goodbye to the fans," Jarrett said. "The fans that you see come to that All-Star event are the fans that really make up what this sport is about. This is really my opportunity to get in front of a huge crowd in a place that means a lot to me."

The winner of Saturday night's winner-take-all race will earn $1 million.

Williams sisters exit the Italian Open

ROME, May 16 (UPI) -- Venus and Serena Williams both made an exit during the quarterfinals Friday at the Italian Open.

Serena Williams, seeded fifth, withdrew prior to her scheduled quarterfinal meeting with qualifier Alize Cornet, citing a back injury.

Venus Williams, the No. 4 seed, then lost to defending champion Jelena Jankovic 5-7, 6-2, 6-3. It was Venus Williams' first tournament appearance in more than a month, as she tunes up for the French Open.

Second-seeded Maria Sharapova, meanwhile, rallied to defeat Patty Schnyder 6-7 (3-7), 7-5, 6-2.

In another quarterfinal, Anna Chakvetadze won over Tsvetana Pironkova 6-2, 3-6, 6-1.

Chakvetadze will meet Cornet and Jankovic will play Sharapova in the semifinals.