Americans to play Czechs in quarterfinal

The United States advanced to the quarterfinal round of the 2013 World Junior Championship with an 8-3 victory against Slovakia in a must-win game Monday, the final day of group play and will play the Czech Republic in the quarterfinal round Wednesday.

The Americans finished with two wins and six points in pool play, good for third place in Group B. If Slovakia had won Monday, it would have taken third place.

Under the tournament format, the United States play the second-place qualifier from Group A in a cross-over game. That team became the Czech Republic later Monday when Sweden defeated Finland, 7-4, to solidify the Group A standings.

With the win, Sweden earns the bye as the first-place finisher and moves directly to the semifinal round. With the loss, the Finns find themselves unexpectedly in the relegation round. Finland's loss also assured the Czechs and Switzerland places in the medal round.

While the Czechs know who they will play, the Swiss will have to wait until the completion of the Group B finale between Russia and Canada to find out their opponent.

The winner of the Russia-Canada game will finish atop Group B and earn the quarterfinal bye. The loser will play Switzerland in the cross-over quarterfinalk game on Wednesday.

Slovakia, Germany, Latvia and Finland will all play in the relegation round, beginning Wednesday.