World Juniors: Slovakia tops Czech Republic to reach semi-final

Michal Kabac scored in the first period and Denis Godla had a 34-save shutout as Slovakia defeated the Czech Republic 3-0 in the quarter-finals of the world junior championship on Friday.

Peter Cehlarik added a goal in the third frame and Martin Reway had an empty-netter for Slovakia, which advanced to a semifinal meeting with the winner of the Canada-Denmark game. Canada beat Slovakia 8-0 in the opening group stage game for both teams last week.

Kabac got his first of the tournament 18:50 into the first period as his shot from close range went off goalie Miroslav Svoboda's stick into the air. It dropped behind him and slid over the goal-line with Czech forward David Pasternak swinging and missing the puck to try to clear it away. The goal was confirmed by video review.

The Czechs wasted three glittering chances in the second, starting with Ondrei Kase hitting a goalpost on a short-handed breakaway. Patrik Zdrahal fanned on a one-timer with the net wide open and David Kampf had a gaping net but saw the puck roll off the end of his stick.

Cehlarik scored on a second crack at the puck after Czech defenceman Dominik Masin failed to clear it from the front of the net at 14:08 of the third.

Slovakia outshot the Czechs 36-34.