Semi-Final
May 8, 2004
Prague, CZE

Canada is going for gold again !

Shawn Horcoff of the Edmonton Oilers scored a goal 6:10 into the third period and defending champion Canada edged Slovakia 2-1 in a semifinal of the men's world hockey championship Saturday.

Daniel Briere of the Buffalo Sabres also scored for Canada, who will face the winner of Saturday's later semifinal between Sweden and the U.S. in Sunday's gold medal game (LIVE ON TSN/RDS: 11am PDT / 2 p.m. EDT).

"It's huge for Canada," said captain Ryan Smyth, playing in his sixth consecutive world championship. "It's an opportunity, something that we've strived for since Day 1. I've heard from players that have won the Cup, to repeat is the toughest thing to do.

"We have an opportunity to repeat and it would be a great feeling to finish it off right."

Miroslav Satan of the Sabres had the lone goal for Slovakia, which suffered its first loss of the championship (5-1-2).