Sweden pound U.S. to reach semi-finals

RIGA, May 17 (Reuters) Mika Hannula scored a hat-trick in Sweden's 6-0 quarter-final win over the United States at the ice hockey world championship today.

The Olympic champions were the first team into the semi-finals, keeping their bid for an unprecedented Olympic/world double on track.

''We're not under pressure to win,'' said Sweden coach Bengt-Ake Gustafsson. ''There is the possibility to make history and we are two games away.

''If we can make history I will be the first to celebrate but we cannot think about that now.'' Hannula scored twice in the opening period for a 2-0 lead, supported by Johan Holmqvist's shutout netminding.

Detroit Red Wings' Mikael Samuelsson, one of eight players who also played at the Olympics in Turin, opened the scoring in the second while Kenny Jonsson added a powerplay marker to push the Tre Kronor in front 4-0.

Hannula collected his hat-trick midway through the third when he broke in alone and snapped up a low shot past Jason Bacashihua, who had replaced Craig Anderson in the U.S. net.

Andreas Karlsson completed the rout, scoring his fifth of the championship.

''Sweden got off to a great start and we never found our spark,'' said U.S. coach Mike Eaves. ''I'm not sure why we came out flat.'' Sweden play the winner of the game between Canada and Slovakia later today.

REUTERS KD VC2200