UTICA, NY -- It was a goal-scoring frenzy on Thursday, with four Badgers finding the net as Team USA beat Japan 10-0 to advance to the semifinals of the IIHF Women's World Championship.
The US outshot Japan 48-14, while committing just one penalty. The win brings the Americans one step closer to a second consecutive world championship title.
Lacey Eden got the action started early, scoring within the first four minutes of the game. Hilary Knight made it 2-0 midway through the first period, with an assist from Caroline Harvey. Knight recorded an assist on the Americans' third goal, helping out 2015 Patty Kazmaier Award-winner Alex Carpenter.
The second period also started out with a Badger scoring. This time, it was Kirsten Simms who found the net to bring the score to 4-0. Eden tallied an assist a few minutes later on the Americans' sixth goal of the game.
Late in the period, Harvey found the net to bring the score to 9-0. She was assisted by Knight. Knight capped of her hat trick of assists in third period, helping Carpenter again to bring the score to 10-0.
Badgers have played a major role in Team USA's strong, undefeated, run in the tournament thus far. Harvey leads all skaters in the tournament with 7 assists while Knight ranks second with 6 assists. Knight is also tied with Carpenter for the most points in the tournament with 9.
The U.S. will be back in action on Saturday when they take on Finland in the semifinals. The teams have already played once in the tournament, during the preliminary round, with the U.S. winning 5-3.
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