BRATISLAVA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Canada claimed a clear 3-0 victory against the United States and climbed to the top spot in Group A at the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships.

The North American derby was unexpectedly lopsided, as Pierre-Luc Dubois was left unattended and scored into an almost empty net early in the game. when the U.S. goaltender Cory Schneider followed the wrong man and left his right side open.

Kyle Turris ended a two-on-one breakaway with an easy goal to stretch the lead to 2-0 six minutes later, and Jared McCann buried the hopes of the U.S. in the second period with a wrister past a defender.

Canada will now face Switzerland, the fourth team in Group B, in the quarterfinals on Thursday in Kosice.

Team USA, who finished fourth in Group A, will have to travel to Bratislava to face undefeated Group A leaders Russia in the quarterfinals.