Sochi, Russia (SportsNetwork.com) - James van Riemsdyk, Dustin Brown and David Backes tallied in a three-goal first period, as the United States put 32 years of frustration to rest and gained a spot in the semifinals thanks to a 5-2 decision over the Czech Republic on Wednesday. Zach Parise and Phil Kessel also lit the lamp for the Americans, who hadnt beaten the Czechs -- or its previous incarnation as Czechoslovakia -- in Olympic play since 1980 and will face Canada in a Friday semifinal. Ryan Suter added three assists to back a 21-save effort by Jonathan Quick. Ales Hemsky recorded both scores for the Czechs, who came up short in their quest to medal for the first time since taking bronze in Torino eight years prior. Starter Ondrej Pavelec was pulled early in the second period after yielding four goals on 12 shots. Alexander Salak finished up with 12 stops. Zack Kassian Oilers Jersey . Leverkusen said on Friday it signed Schmidt on a two-year contract. He guided Red Bull Salzburg to the Austrian championship this season. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Jersey . -- At the beginning of training camp, Andrew Bogut set a goal to play all 82 regular-season games and regain his place among the NBAs best centres. http://www.hockeyoilersshop.com/paul-coffey-jersey/ . Nix is a career .218 hitter in 425 games over six seasons. The 31-year-old right-handed hitter batted .270 with a homer this spring for Tampa Bay. Boyd Gordon Oilers Jersey . Ryu (8-3) allowed a run and three hits in six innings and struck out six in his 13th start. In his first 13 starts last season -- his first in the major leagues -- the left-hander was 8-5 with a 2.85 ERA. This was the ninth time this year that Ryu has allowed fewer than three earned runs, and he is 7-0 in those games. Mark Fayne Jersey . Although taking two of three from the Baltimore Orioles wasnt nearly as uplifting as winning the World Series, it still felt pretty darn good. Felix Doubront and four relievers combined kept Baltimores potent lineup in check, and David Ortiz had three of Bostons 12 hits off Wei-Yin Chen in a 4-3 victory Thursday night.Emotionless is set to head straight to the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on April 30 without a prep run. The Godolphin-owned colt looked an exciting prospect when winning the Group Two Champagne Stakes at Doncaster in September but then disappointed in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket the following month.Routine checks the following day revealed he had a chip on his left fore knee which required surgery. John Ferguson, Godolphins chief executive and racing manager, revealed the son of Shamardal had recovered well from the operation and continued to make good progress.Hes stronger than ever, Ferguson told www.godolphin.com.We have taken the view that he will not need a prep race before the Guineas.Its alwayys a worry when horses have surgery but from the moment he came back into training, he has been moving like a bird.dddddddddddd.Emotionless trainer Charlie Appleby added: Hes been training well, and I couldnt be happier with him.Physically, hes done well over the winter. Sky Racing Tickets Fast, secure racing tickets: Exclusive racing offers near you Also See: Live results service Full racecards £10 free bet Get Sky Sports ' ' '