TRAIL, BC – Russia and USA have advanced to the World Junior A Challenge semi-finals after winning Groups A and B respectively, Hockey Canada and the CJAHL announced on Wednesday.

Russia and USA both won their final round robin games in dramatic fashion on Wednesday. Russia beat Canada West 4-2 in Trail, BC, with the winning goal coming from Evgeny Grachev with less than three minutes to play in the game. Meanwhile, in Nelson, BC USA defeated Canada East 3-2, with Barry Almeida scoring the overtime winner.

Quarter-final match-ups are also set for Thursday night in Trail and Nelson. Winning teams advance to the semi-finals on Saturday, while the two losing teams will play for 5th place Saturday afternoon.

Quarter-final schedule – Thursday, November 8th

7:30 pm Canada West (A2) vs. Belarus (B3) Trail, BC webcast at www.hockeycanada.ca

7:30 pm Canada East (B2) vs. Germany (A3). Nelson, BC

Semi-final schedule – Saturday, November 10th

2:00 pm 5th place L A2/B3 vs. L B2/A3 Trail, BC

7:30 pm Semi-final Russia vs. W B2/A3 Trail, BC webcast at www.hockeycanada.ca

7:30 pm Semi-final USA vs. W A2/B3 Nelson, BC

Final schedule – Sunday, November 11th

2:00 pm Bronze medal game Trail, BC

7:30 pm Gold medal game Trail, BC TSN/RDS

The World Junior A Challenge is a presentation of Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Junior A Hockey League (CJAHL).

The 2007 World Junior A Challenge runs through November 11th in Trail and Nelson, BC. Some tickets are available for remaining games.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKET INFORMATION.

The gold medal game will be broadcast on tape delay on TSN/RDS, the official broadcaster of Hockey Canada. Check your local listings for broadcast times in your area. The quarter-final game on November 8th and the semi-final game on November 10th will be available via webcast at www.hockeycanada.ca