SPORTS

Canada beats Denmark 8-0 to reach world junior semifinals

The Canadian Press Published Friday, January 2, 2015 10:32PM EST

Canada's Lawson Crouse, right celebrates his goal against Denmark with teammates including Fredrik Gauthier (22) during second period quarter-final action at the World Junior Hockey Championships in Toronto on Friday January 2, 2015. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn)

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TORONTO - Connor McDavid had a couple of impressive assists and a highlight-reel goal. And that was just one part of Canada's domination.

Led by McDavid and captain Curtis Lazar, Canada overwhelmed Denmark with offensive firepower in a 8-0 rout Friday night at Air Canada Centre in the quarter-finals of the world junior championship.

Canada owned the play from start to finish, outshooting the overmatched Danes 50-14 to advance to play Slovakia in Sunday's semifinal. Sweden and Russia meet in the other game.

If this Canadian team clicks as it did against Denmark, it's possible no team left in the tournament will be any match. Of course, that's absent a sublime goaltending performance.

Georg Sorensen tried and finished with 42 saves, but Canada cracked him early and beat him often. Lazar scored twice and McDavid, Sam Reinhart, Lawson Crouse, Nick Paul, Brayden Point and Nick Ritchie each added one.

Canadian goaltender Zach Fucale was barely tested in making 14 saves to record the shutout. Fucale has allowed a total of one goal at the world juniors.