Switzerland blanks Norway to reach a third straight ice hockey worlds final

ZURICH (AP) — Switzerland blanked Norway 6-0 to advance to the final of the ice hockey world championship for the third straight year Saturday.

Seeking its first title, Switzerland will meet in the winner of the later semifinal between Canada and Finland. The final is Sunday.

Swiss goalie Leonardo Genoni shut out Norway with 20 saves.

Christoph Bertschy, Denis Malgin, Ken Jager, Damien Riat, Nico Hischier and Theo Rochette scored for the host country.

Switzerland finished second in the previous two worlds and wants more in front of constantly roaring, singing and jumping fans who have repeatedly sold out Swiss Life Arena.

Switzerland missed New Jersey Devils forward Timo Meier who was suspended for one game by the world championship disciplinary panel for kneeing Oskar Sundqvist in the quarterfinal against Sweden.

Bertschy skated from behind the net to the left circle before turning around and shooting the opener past goaltender Henrik Haukeland with 2:24 to go in the opening period.

Malgin added the second on an odd man rush early in the second period.

Jager made it 3-0 and Riat netted on a power play for 4-0 still in the middle period.

Hischier scored on another play in the third period and Theo Rochette completed the rout.

Sven Andrighetto registered two assists and tops the scoring table with 15 points from nine games.

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The Associated Press