USA set to face Czech Republic in Ivan Hlinka Tournament Semifinals

The United States Under-18 Select Team will face the Czech Republic in the semifinals of the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. The red, white and blue will face the host country at 1 p.m. ET on Friday, August 9.

The United States defeated Russia and Slovakia after losing to Finland in overtime in the tournament opener. The seven points the USA collected in the round robin portion of the tournament was enough to claim the top spot in Group B.

Canada and Russia will faceoff in the other semifinal at 11:30 a.m. ET on Friday. Sweden and Slovakia will play in the seventh place game while Finland and Switzerland will decide fifth place.

North Dakota recruit Nick Schmaltz is the leading scorer in the tournament with three goals and three assists in three games played. Michigan recruit Kyle Connor has two goals and one assist, tied with Paul Bittner of the Portland Winterhawks (WHL) as the other top scorers for the United States. Connor is expected to play at least one more season with the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms before matriculating to Michigan.

Jeff Cox is a hockey reporter for SBNation. Follow Jeff on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.