Dylan Cozens and Bowen Byram scored about three minutes apart in the first period and Connor McMichael added an empty-netter as Canada defeated the Czech Republic 3-0 in the quarterfinal round of the World Junior Championship in Edmonton on Saturday night.

The hosts join Russia and Finland in the semifinals, and either the United States or Slovakia, who face off later Saturday, will occupy the fourth spot.

Byram - named Canada's player of the game - and Cozens are serving as Canada's co-captains after Kirby Dach's tournament-ending injury.

The Czech Republic outshot Canada 29-25 - including an 11-6 margin during the third period - in the contest.

Canadian goaltender Devon Levi continued to excel at the tournament, stopping all 29 shots he faced.

The semifinals will be played Monday, followed by the gold- and bronze-medal games Tuesday.

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