PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Defenceman Brent Burns had two goals and two assists as Canada routed Belarus 9-0 in quarter-final action Thursday at the world hockey championship.
The impressive offensive showing moved Canada into the semifinals for the first time in six years. Canada had been eliminated in the quarter-final round at the five previous world championships.
"It's nice to put ourselves in a position to get to the finals," team captain Sidney Crosby said. "The important thing is to get better every game and at this point you've got to be at your best. It's win or go home, so we did a good job today."
Thursday's win also pushed Canada's all-time record against the Belarusians to a perfect 8-0 at the world championships.
The Canadians struck quickly when Burns scored his first of the tournament just 27 seconds after the opening faceoff.
Forward Tyler Seguin added three goals tie for the tournament lead with nine, while Ryan O'Reilly scored twice. Tyler Ennis and Jason Spezza also scored.
Canada now has a total of 58 goals over the first eight games of the tournament. That beats the all-time tournament record since NHL players started participating in 1977.
Canada also held the previous record, scoring 57 goals over 10 games in 1989.
The Canadian defence held the dangerous Belarusian top line of brothers Sergei and Andrei Kostitsyn and Alexei Kalyuzhny off the scoresheet. The trio combined for 26 points in the seven-game preliminary round.
Mike Smith stopped 23 shots to record his first shutout of the tournament.
"It was just a bonus," Smith said. "The way they play in front of me is the most important."
Canada will face the winner of the quarter-final between Finland and the Czech Republic, which was played later Thursday.
With files from The Associated Press
