Local hero Mike Richter and Pat LaFontaine each had big games Monday night as the United States beat Russia 5-2 to clinch a semifinal berth in the World Cup of Hockey tournament.
With New York Rangers fans cheering on their favorite goaltender at Madison Square Garden, Richter made 32 saves as the United States (2-0) clinched first place in the four-team North American pool.
Richter, looking as sharp as he did when he keyed the Rangers’ Stanley Cup victory in 1994, set the tone with a sparkling kick save on Vladimir Malakhov late in the first period with Russia (1-2) on a power play.
LaFontaine, of the Buffalo Sabres, set up two first-period goals for the Americans and scored a shorthanded goal in the second period that gave the United States a 4-0 lead.
The U.S. team plays Slovakia Tuesday night to close out the preliminary round. In the semifinals, the U.S. faces the winner of Friday night’s quarterfinal between Russia and Finland.
Sweden finished first in the European Division and plays the Canada-Germany quarterfinal game winner.
