BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, May 11 (UPI) -- A hat trick by Jaromir Jagr Wednesday sent the Czech Republic coasting past the United States 4-0 in the quarterfinals of the World Hockey Championships.
The defending champion Czechs remained unbeaten in the tournament, having won all six of their qualifying round games while outscoring their opponents 31-10.
Ondrej Pavelec, who plays in the NHL for the Atlanta Thrashers, made 29 saves in recording the shutout.
The United States had missed the quarterfinals in last year's tournament and would have avoided meeting the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals if it had defeated Switzerland in the final qualifying game.
Ty Conklin gave up all four goals on 39 shots.
Sweden earned a semifinal meeting with the Czechs by downing Germany 5-2 in the second quarterfinal game Wednesday. It was a rematch of last year's bronze medal game, which was also won by Sweden.
The other quarterfinals on Thursday will send Finland against Norway and Canada against Russia.
