By Troy Gillard (Twitter: @Troy_Gillard)

USA, Russia win again at Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Red Deer

Aug 8, 2018 | 9:34 AM

Russia and the United States remain undefeated as they prepare to battle in preliminary-round action tonight at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Yaroslav Askarov made 35 saves in backstopping Russia to a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic at the Servus Arena Tuesday afternoon.

After an early surge by the Czechs, Yegor Chinakhov scored for Russia just past the midway mark of the opening frame with a power-play goal.  Yaroslav Likhachyov whipped a shot past Czech netminder Nick Malik with 81 seconds left in the first. Vasili Podkolzin put the game out of reach 12 minutes into the third.

In the evening game, Luke Toporowski collected two goals and an assist to lead the United States to a 6-2 win over Finland.

The win earns USA a spot in the semifinals at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The high-flying American squad has scored 22 goals in three games, including pre-tournament play, while allowing just six.

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Toporowski was first on the board midway through the first period, redirecting a Michael Feenstra shot through Finnish netminder Roope Taponen to give the Americans a lead they would never relinquish.

Pool B preliminary-round play wraps up Wednesday at the Servus Arena with Czech Republic vs. Finland at 3 p.m. followed by the marquee Russia vs. USA tilt at 7 p.m.

In Pool A action Tuesday in Edmonton, Canada skated to a 4-2 win over Slovakia to improve to 2-0 on the week while Sweden 5 blanked Switzerland 0.

Canada and Sweden wrap up preliminary-round action at Rogers Place in Edmonton at 7 p.m. Switzerland meets Slovakia at 3 p.m.

(With file from Jason La Rose, Hockey Canada)