WORLD HOCKEY Czechs squander lead before losing to U.S.

America is in the semifinals for the second time in four years.
PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) -- The Americans made the home-ice edge disappear again at the World Ice Hockey Championships.
The Czech Republic couldn't take advantage of playing at home Wednesday when the United States defeated the hosts in the city where the Americans won their first world championship 71 years ago.
Strong favorites coming into the tournament with a star-studded team, the Czechs inexplicably became the 17th consecutive host team to disappoint its fans and fail to win the title. They squandered a two-goal lead Wednesday and lost 1-0 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 tie in the quarterfinals.
Reach semifinals
In contrast, the Americans, who barely avoided relegation to the lower level of international hockey at last year's worlds, surpassed all expectations. They reached the semifinals for the second time in four years.
"This is huge for us," said Ty Conklin of the Edmonton Oilers, who stopped 36 shots in regulation and shut out the Czechs in overtime and in the shootout, making two spectacular saves. "The tournament is now wide open and we have nothing to lose. It's really exciting."
Andy Roach scored the only goal in the shootout.
The teams were tied 2-2 after regulation and a 10-minute overtime of four-on-four play, forcing the shootout.
The first four skaters on each team missed, either hitting the crossbar or getting stopped by the goalie.
Roach, a 30-year-old defenseman for Mannheim in the German league, finally got a goal, making a left-to-right fake in front of Nashville goalie Tomas Vokoun, then stuffing the puck into the open net.
When Jiri Dopita shot wide for the Czechs, it was over.
"We were down, but we played a great game, maybe our best effort as a group," coach Peter Laviolette said.
Game Saturday
The United States faces Sweden in the semifinals Saturday, with Peter Forsberg and Nicklas Lidstrom joining the Swedish team for the game. Sweden beat Latvia 4-1 in the quarterfinals.
In the other quarterfinals today, Canada was scheduled to play Finland and Slovakia was to face Switzerland.
The Americans are seeking their third world title, the last coming in 1960, when the Olympics also counted as worlds. The only other time they claimed the trophy was in 1933.