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The 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship are in the quarterfinals on Thursday and the United States is about to play Finland in the third matchup of the day. Slovakia and Russia have already advanced to the semifinals while Sweden and the Czech Republic play after this game to compete the next round. The U.S., should it pick up the win, will play Russia in the semis.
The U.S. went 4-1-2 in seven game during the preliminary round while Finland went 5-2-0, finishing third by one point behind the Americans' 16. The Colorado Avalanche's Paul Stastny has three goals and nine points in seven games, three points behind teammate Max Pacioretty for the U.S. team lead.
Should they defeat Finland, the Americans will have defeated the defending champions. Finland defeated Sweden, 6-1, in the championship game. The United States has not won the tournament since 1960.
Game time: 9:30 a.m. MT
Location: Helsinki, Finland
TV: NBC Sports Network