TORONTO – Jonathan Toews had two goals and an assist and Team Canada easily beat Europe 4-1 on Wednesday night in its final preliminary round game in the World Cup of Hockey.
Canada won Group A and will face North America or Russia in the first semifinal Saturday night.
Sidney Crosby and Logan Couture also scored, and Corey Crawford made 19 saves in his World Cup debut.
“That was pretty special, I’ve waited a long time,” he said. “Watching as a kid, watching Olympics, watching world juniors. It’s a pretty special feeling to put that jersey on. Having friends and family and my parents here, it was a great feeling.”
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Crawford gave up the only goal when Marian Hossa – normally his teammate with the Chicago Blackhawks – knuckled a puck past him from a sharp angle in the second period.
“I don’t know what I was trying to do there,” Crawford said. “I’ll probably hear about that the rest of the year.”
Jaroslav Halak stopped 42 shots for Europe.
Heavy favourites entering the tournament, Canada has met expectations, easily beating three foes en route to the semifinals. The Canadians outscored the Czechs, Americans and Europeans 14-3, trailing only once and for less than 2 minutes. All but two players have produced at least a point.
A win for Russia in the preliminary round finale against Finland on Thursday would seal a date with the Canadians.
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