Team USA canter through to the knock-out stages

 TEAM USA confirmed their place in the knock-out stages of the Winter Olympic women's ice hockey competition with an effortless 6-0 victory over Finland.

FLAT OUT: Meghan Duggan of the USA hits the deck as her side romp past Finland and into the knock-out stages in Vancouver (Getty Images)

The USA followed up crushing victories over China and Russia with a comfortable win over their Scandinavian opponents, ensuring they have notched up 31 goals in their three group matches, conceding just one in the process.

It was Julie Chu, ranked number one in the world, who got the ball rolling for the USA, slamming home on nine minutes, while Molly Engstrom made it 2-0 two minutes later after Michelle Karvinen was penalised for hooking.

The USA were three up and cruising when Meghan Duggan made it three in the 12th minute and a rout looked on the cards when Natalie Darwitz made it four in the 19th minutes.

Both the USA and Canada have come in for criticism for the way them have dished out thrashings to the lesser nations so it may not have been coincidence that the foot notably came off the pedal.

Hilary Knight scored the only goal of the second period before Karen Thatcher wrapped things up late in the third period.

 AS IT HAPPENS: Day seven of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver