The Russian side, third at this year’s World Championships on home ice in Moscow and St. Petersburg, proved too strong for their Scandinavian opponents on their way to securing second place in Group B.

The result also ended the impressive run of Team North America, made up of players who are under the age of 23, as they needed a Finland win to progress to the last four.

It was not to be for the North Americans, however, as Russia scored three unanswered goals in a relatively routine victory thanks to Vladimir Tarasenko, Ivan Telegin and Evgeni Malkin.

Russia will go up against hosts and favourites Canada, the reigning Olympic gold medallists who strolled through the group stage with a 100 per cent record in the semi-finals, on Saturday (September 24).

"It's going to be a fun game," Russia captain Alex Ovechkin said.

"It's nice to be a part of obviously.

"Two teams with a great history.

"Again, it's going to be tough.

"It's going to be hard because we play here in Canada.

"But it's going to be a fun, fun game."

In the other match to take place today, the Czech Republic heaped more misery on the United States as they claimed a narrow 4-3 win to ensure the American side left the tournament without a victory to their name in Group A.

The contest proved to be an exciting one, despite being a dead rubber, as the two teams went in pursuit of a positive end to the first edition of the World Cup of Hockey for 12 years.

Milan Michalek scored twice for the Czech Republic, with brother Zybnek and Andrej Sustr both also finding the net.

Joe Pavelski, Justin Abdelkader and Ryan McDonagh got on the scoresheet for the US.

"None of us from the US team here from head to toe is happy with what’s happened here," American coach John Tortorella said.

"But I thought our guys rallied here together a little bit.

"We came up short, but I think some guys gave some really true efforts.

"We just didn’t find a way to win the hockey game."