Boston College teammates James Hagens and Ryan Leonard each scored twice and the defending champion United States routed Switzerland 7-2 on Thursday in the world junior hockey quarterfinals

The defending champion United States beat Switzerland 7-2 in the quarterfinals of the world junior hockey championship. It will face Czechia next.

"The United States-Canada match at World Juniors is often unpredictable," Starman said. "They are still kids, emotions run high, and when the game is in Canada, the Canadians tend to play a little more on the edge to the home crowd. Often, it gets them into trouble.

Welcome back to the return World Junior Predictions. The elite Under-20 showcase features plenty of players that could become NHL superstars. Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games and breaks down the head-to-head matchups and other factors that play in.

On Thursday, the United States of America hockey program kept its lofty dreams of repeating as IIHF World Junior Champions alive with a 7-2 victory over Switzerland at Canadian Tire Centre in Game #23 of the tournament.

Danny Nelson scored the eventual game-winner in the third period and Trey Augustine made 38 saves, leading the United States to a 4-1 win over Canada and into the top spot in Group A at the world junior hockey championship.

The United States took care of Switzerland at the World Junior quarterfinals, notching seven goals in a decisive victory.

The United States, trying to win this tournament for a second straight year, will play Switzerland in the quarterfinals at 2:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 2.

Therese Johaug has claimed her fourth Tour de Ski victory in style by winning the final stage climb up Mount Cermis.

Here are Starman's 3 keys to victory for the United States against Czechia:

Among GCC countries, Qatar ranks second after the UAE, which holds 10th place with visa-free access to 185 destinations

Reinhard Stettler, professor emeritus of forestry in the UW School of Forest Resources, points out the development of groves of cottonwood trees along the Snoqualmie River in 2010. Stettler died Dec. 9, just short of his 95th birthday. (Dean Rutz/Seattle Times)