U.S. Is Eliminated From Canada Cup by Czechs; Canada Ties Soviets, 3-3

There weren’t any miracles this year for the United States hockey team. Czechoslovakia defeated Team USA, 3-1, Sunday night at Sydney in Nova Scotia to eliminate the Americans from the Canada Cup.

Czechoslovakia (2-2-1) advanced to Tuesday’s semfinals, while Team USA finished fifth in the six-team competition, losing its third straight game after defeating Finland and Sweden.

Montreal’s Chris Nilan scored the only goal for the United States, which outshot Czechoslovakia, 37-25. Vladimir Ruzicka, Dusan Pasek and Jiri Hrdina scored for Czechoslovakia.

The U.S. scored 13 goals in five games, only four in its last four.

Soviet Union 3, Canada 3--Wayne Gretzky’s goal tied the game with 2:27 remaining as Canada clinched first place in the round-robin phase of the Canada Cup by tying the Soviet Union at Hamilton. Canada (3-0-2) plays fourth-place Czechoslovakia Wednesday night at Montreal. The Soviets (3-1-1) meet third-place Sweden Tuesday in the first semifinal.

Sweden 3, Finland 1--Sweden, tied with Team USA for the fourth and final playoff spot going into this game at Sydney, won to advance with a 3-2 round-robin record. Finland was eliminated.