Czechs into quarter-finals

A pair by Prospal and a single by Milan Hejduk staked the Czechs to a 3-0 lead in front of a packed Palasport Olimpico who came looking for an upset by the host nation.

Italy continued to battle and finally broke through with just over two minutes left when John Parco found the back of the net to break Tomas Vokoun's shutout.

Prospal then added an empty net goal to close out the scoring. Jaromir Jagr, who was knocked out of the game against Finland on Saturday, started the game and played two periods. Jagr was rammed into the boards head first and suffered a cut that needed several stitches to close. He did not play in the third period, instead resting since the game was in hand.

The win assures the Czechs of a place in the quarter-finals, despite winning only two of their first four preliminary round games. It also knocks Germany out of the quarter-finals picture. Italy were already eliminated.

The Czechs will finish the preliminary round with a game against Canada on Tuesday. Italy play Switzerland on the same day, and Germany face Finland.