It’s an all-Group A semfinal round for the Women’s U18 World Championship.
Russia and the Czech Republic won their quarterfinal games to earn berths in Sunday’s semifinal round at HarborCenter in Buffalo, N.Y.
Russia will face Canada at 3 p.m. while the Czech Republic meets Team USA at 7.
Finland and Sweden will meet at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in a classification game.
Friday’s recaps:
Russia 4, Finland 3
Drama reigned in the first quarterfinal of the day as Russia came back from a three-goal deficit and pulled out the win in the final seconds.
Fanuza Kadirova scored with 3.1 seconds left in regulation to complete the comeback and lift Russia into the semifinals. They will play Canada at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Finland jumped out to a 3-0 first-period lead, including a tally by Ronja Savolainen as time expired.
Russia crept back in, scoring one goal in the second then tying the game in the third period. Russia held a 30-21 advantage in shots.
Czech Republic 4, Sweden 3
The power play started it off for the Czech Republic with a goal from Noemi Neubauerova in the first period. Two quick tallies in the second gave them a 3-0 lead.
Sweden regrouped with a timeout and got on the board with their own power play goal from Frida Gradin. Just 4:11 into the third they cut the lead to 3-2 with a goal from Hanna Olsson.
The Czech Republic regained its two-goal lead thanks to Michaela Pejzlova midway through the third.
Sweden, which won Group B, wasn’t quite done. With 2:29 left Celine Tedenby scored to again make it a one-goal game. Sweden pulled goaltender Emma Soderberg but couldn’t get the equalizer.
Switzerland 2, Japan 1
The Swiss took the first game in the best-of-three relegation series.
Japan took a 1-0 lead on a power play goal by Chisata Miyazaki 5:33 into the game.
Switzerland responded with its own power play goal from Sabrina Muller
Alina Muller notched the game-winner at 6;45 of the second period. The Swiss held on despite Japan holding a 24-19 advantage in shots, including 10-4 in the third period.
The teams have Saturday off and will meet again at noon on Sunday.
