MINSK, Belarus -- The Czech Republic scored three second-period, power-play goals in beating the United States 4-3 in the quarterfinals of the ice hockey world championship on Thursday. Damian Miller Jersey . Also, Russia blanked France 3-0 to face defending champion Sweden or Belarus in the semifinals on Saturday. The Czechs will play Canada or Finland in the semis. Captain Tomas Rolinek answered Brock Nelsons power-play goal in the opening period, and Tomas Hertl, Roman Cervenka and Ondrej Nemec all beat veteran goaltender Tim Thomas on power plays in less than 10 minutes in the middle period. U.S. captain Justin Abdelkader received a five-minute penalty and was ejected for a big hit on forward Vladimir Sobotka, who needed treatment on the ice and did not return to the game. Czech coach Vladimir Ruzicka didnt give details about his injury but said he hoped Sobotka will be available for the semis. Tyler Johnson reduced the deficit to 4-2 with 1:10 left in the game, and added his second 13 seconds later, but it was too late and the U.S., bronze medallists last year, came up short. "I wish they (the goals) would have come a little sooner," Johnson said. Hertl and Cervenka scored from rebounds during Abdelkaders penalty, and Jaromir Jagr set up Nemec to drive a slap shot past Thomas. "We scored three power-plays goals and that decided the game," Jagr said. "But we messed things up in the last two minutes. It was a lesson for the young players, and for those who never experienced that the game ends only after the final whistle." Russia star forward Evgeni Malkin made his presence felt in his second game at the worlds as he scored a power-play goal and added an assist, and Artyom Anisimov and Alexander Kutuzov also scored at Frances expense. "I felt much better today, I had the time to get acclimated," said Malkin, who arrived from the NHL playoffs. "It was a good win but we could have played better and been more effective." Goaltender Sergei Bobrovski stopped 16 shots for the shutout. Another Russian star, forward Alex Ovechkin, returned after he missed a game due to a right leg injury. "It was a bit awkward to skate in the brace," Ovechkin said. "But Ill play without it the next game, and everything will be OK." Stefan Crichton Jersey . "Im going to send Webbie a six-pack (of beer) tonight," she said. Webb wasnt sure that would help. "Ill probably drink one and go to sleep," the Australian veteran said. The two players set up a Sunday showdown between former HSBC champions after finishing off their third rounds with identical birdies over three of the last five holes Saturday to separate themselves slightly from the rest of the crowded leaderboard. Caleb Joseph Jersey . Kripps, of Summerland, B.C., and Edmontons Barnett used a terrific second run to move up two spots, putting the Canadian duo in medal contention with the final two runs set for Monday (11:15 a.m. ET, streaming live at cbc. https://www.cheapdiamondbacksjerseys.us/ .com) - Darius Carter and Ron Baker scored 18 points apiece to help 13th-ranked Wichita State beat Evansville 61-41 on Saturday.After 26 races, seven months and one unprecedented penalty, NASCARs regular season has come to an end. The Chase for the Sprint Cup begins in Chicago this weekend as 12 drivers have moved one step closer to the circuit crown. In handicapping the Chase, its important to remember that the playing field is once again level. All 12 qualified drivers now have an equal shot at the Cup, regardless of how many races they have won or lost up to this point. So, who do you like? Jimmie Johnson was the first to clinch his chase spot, doing so over a month ago at Aug. 11s Watkins Glen International. Clint Bowyer and Matt Kenseth have had their berths clinched for a couple weeks and have likewise been able to cruise through the final races prior to the Chase. Kyle Busch qualified by winning Atlanta two weeks ago and was joined that same night by Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards and Kasey Kahne, leaving five spots up for grabs in Richmond. The field was filled out on the final weekend before the Chase with: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Kurt Busch, Joey Logano, Greg Biffle and - at the time - Martin Truex Jr. Truex may have been the sentimental favourite as he fought valiantly down the stretch, driving with a broken right wrist, but he was removed from the Chase by NASCAR officials after initially securing a spot when his Waltrip Racing teammates Clint Bowyer and Brian Vickers apparently manipulated the outcome of Saturday nights Richmond race under orders from the team. The penalty vaulted Ryan Newman into the Chase by virtue of wild card qualification. When looking for who has the inside track, history can tell us a few things. The first, as always, is dont overlook Johnson. Number 48 has five Sprint Cups under his belt and was far and away the best driver for much of the 2013 campaign. After two years on the outside looking in, he could be hungry to add a sixth Cup to his trophy case. Bowyer - last years runner-up - may be eager to conclude some unfinished business. Bowyer, like Johnson, narrowly missed the Cup last season by virtue of two disastrous sub-20 finishes during the Chase that marred an otherwise excellent run. Kenseths five checkered flags this season are tops heading into the Chase but last years season ended on an inconsistent note. Alex Cintron Jersey. While Kenseth won two of the 10 Chase races, he was unable to crack the top 10 in all but one of the others, leading to a disappointing seventh-place finish. Kyle Busch is something of a wild card. He locked up his spot by winning Atlanta and has taken two of the last five checkered flags. However, the last time he was in the Chase in 2011, he finished last amongst the top 12, reaching only one podium. His brother Kurt has been good entertainment all year, even if he hasnt won many friends. He got into a shoving match with Tony Stewart and caused a seven-car pile-up. In the meantime, hes been a Jekyll and Hyde performer. Heading into Richmond, Busch had finished top-10 in 11 of his last 18. That said, hed also finished lower than 30th three times over that same span. Kurt is one of just four drivers to have successfully navigated the Chase, so he could be out to surprise. Fans will also be eager to see if Dale Earnhardt Jr. can finally return his family name to the Championship conversation after three straight unsuccessful Chases. Junior remains one of the most popular drivers in NASCAR, but many still await his big breakthrough. Logano has earned his slot through consistency. While he only has one checkered flag this season, he has essentially lived in the top 10 since Indianapolis including a pole-checker double at Michigan.Biffle, too, is a driver who shouldnt be overlooked, as hed have long ago locked up his spot had it not been for a disastrous spring that saw him finish in the 30s three times between Richmond and Charlotte, dropping from fourth to 13th in the standings in the process. Newman, for his part, is back in the Chase for the third time in five years and may be eager to make good on the chance hes been given to compete thanks to the Truex penalty.Last year Brad Keselowski took the Chase by surprise, entering it in seventh but then winning Chicago and holding tight the rest of the way with the aid of two duds from Johnson in the final weeks. Will this year have another dramatic finish? Who do you like? As always, its Your! Call. ' ' ' cess. Newman, for his part, is back in the Chase for the third time in five years and may be eager to make good on the chance hes been given to compete thanks to the Truex penalty.Last year Brad Keselowski took the Chase by surprise, entering it in seventh but then winning Chicago and holding tight the rest of the way with the aid of two duds from Johnson in the final weeks. Will this year have another dramatic finish? Who do you like? As always, its Your! Call. ' ' ' king to rectify their situation quickly. It will be a very tight game but hopefully one where we can find a way of taking the three points. We are still right in this group and there is a long way to go.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the British Masters on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: 1-1 Lithuania. As it happened Charlies World Cup predictions Forrest: No need to panic Slovakia-Scotland preview ' ' '