Canada and USA ease into semis in Vancouver

 CANADA continued their perfect sledge ice hockey record with victory over Norway at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics to set up a semi-final clash with Japan.

ON THE MARCH: Billy Bridges of Canada attempts to elude the attentions of Stig Tore Svee as the host nation cruise into the last four in Vancouver (Getty Images)

The hosts have been imperious from the word go in Vancouver and they chalked up their second shut-out from their three victories with a 5-0 win over the Scandinavians.

Greg Westlake grabbed two and there were also goals Brad Bowden, Billy Bridges and Adam Dixon as Canada raced into the knock-out stages, scoring 19 and conceding just one in the process.

Again Canada had the physical advantage and Norway simply could not live with it, mixing strength with speed to ease into the last four.

They will face Japan, who were downed 6-0 by the USA, who look to be on a collision course with their North American rivals for a final showdown that would follow both the men's and women's Olympic gold medal matches.

The USA are yet to concede a goal in Vancouver and were too strong for Japan, chalking up a 6-0 victory to add to the 3-0 and 5-0 wins over the Czech Republic and Korea respectively.

Ande Yohe, Greg Shaw, Alexi Salamone, Taylor Lipsett, Joe Howard and Nikko Landeros got the goals while Steve Cash produced another fine performance between the pipes as the USA booked their semi-final match with Norway.