Jake McCabe and John Gaudreau scored two goals each Thursday to lead the United States to the final of the world junior championships with a 5-1 win over Canada.

McCabe put his team ahead with a pair of identical goals, scoring through goalmouth scrambles in the first period.

Gaudreau made it 3-0, beating Malcolm Subban with a low shot on a sharp counter attack at 22:58.

Subban was substituted for Jordan Binnington after stopping 12 of 16 shots, and Jim Vesey extended the lead to four 10 minutes later.

Ty Rattie scored one for Canada with a shorthanded goal at 44:03, but Gaudreau scored on another sharp attack with 4:19 to play.

Defending champion Sweden was scheduled to play Russia in the second semifinal game.

Sapa-AP