September 5, 2004 in Sports

Canada beats Russia, ends pool play in first

Associated Press
 
Associated Press photo

Russia goaltender Maxim Sokolov is beaten by Brad Richards.
(Full-size photo)

TORONTO — Martin Brodeur made 27 saves, and Brad Richards, Kris Draper and Joe Sakic scored goals to help Canada beat Russia 3-1 on Saturday night in the World Cup of Hockey, giving the Canadians a 3-0 record in round-robin play.

Canada will play the last-place team in the North American pool in the quarterfinals Wednesday in Toronto.

Richards opened the scoring with a short-handed goal early in the second period, and Draper made it 2-0 just 1:37 later. Sakic scored early in the third period, and Russia’s Sergei Gonchar completed the scoring midway through the period.

“We did what we have to do,” Draper said. “We’re 3-0, but we have to realize that we need to get better. It’s do or die from here.”

Russia (1-1) will complete play in the four-team pool tonight in Toronto against Slovakia (0-2). The United States (1-2) finished pool play Friday night with a 3-1 victory over Slovakia in St. Paul, Minn.

© Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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