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The United States, Canada, Russia and Switzerland clinched quarterfinal berths at the hockey world championships Sunday.

Russia got two late goals to beat the United States 5-3 in a hard fought game, while Canada scored four unanswered goals en route to a 7-1 rout of Norway on Tuesday at the ice hockey world championships.

Ilya Kovalchuk's hat trick led Russia to a 4-1 victory over Germany at the ice hockey world championships Sunday, and Switzerland stunned Canada in a penalty shootout to win 3-2.

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Kim St. Pierre has retired from the Canadian women's hockey team.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Sarah Vaillancourt has retired from the Canadian women's hockey team.

Former Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff will be behind Canada's bench for the world hockey championship next month in Stockholm and Helsinki.

Two other leagues, the WUSA and Women's Professional Soccer, both came and went. But the NWSL has a smarter business plan, with the backing of the national federations from the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Patrick Chan of Canada finished fifth in the free skate at the World Team Trophy on Friday, falling three times in a routine the three-time world champion called frustrating.

Three-time world champion Patrick Chan of Canada and Adelina Sotnikova of Russia led after the short programs on the opening day of figure skating's World Team Trophy.

The NHL has another Olympic meeting on tap for Friday as the parties involved try to continue to make progress.

Amanda Kessel scored the winner early in the third period and the United States beat Canada 3-2 in the gold medal game of the women's world hockey championship on Tuesday.

Last year, the Canadians beat the United States in the gold medal game in Vermont. Tuesday, Amanda Kessel's third-period goal -- on Canadian ice -- avenged that loss.

The United States and Canada have met in every final of the IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championships. Canada has won 10 of the 14 gold medals and has the home-ice advantage Tuesday night.

Hillary Knight scored with just over six minutes to play and the United States advanced to the final of the women's hockey world championships with a 3-0 win over Finland on Monday.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is urging NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to let the league's stars play in the Sochi Olympics.

Other countries have shown significant improvement, but the U.S. and Canada still dominate women's hockey. With a little more money and resources at their disposal, most countries likely would be much more competitive.