CESKE BUDEJOVICE, Czech Republic — Hilary Knight set an assist record as the United States wrapped up the group stage at the women's ice hockey world championship by beating Switzerland 5-0 on Tuesday.
The U.S. topped Group A with a perfect record of four wins from four and will face Germany, the third-place team in Group B, in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
The 35-year-old Knight, making her 15th world championship appearance, recorded three assists for a total of 50 to break Hayley Wickenheiser's record of 49 assists at the tournament.
Knight is also the all-time leader for goals (67) and points (117).
''It's really special,'' the U.S. captain said of her latest record. ''All those players on the leaderboard are (who) I looked up to when I was younger."
Tessa Janecke and Kendall Coyne scored two goals each, Caroline Harvey also had a goal and Alex Carpenter added three assists. Goalie Gwyneth Philips only had to make three saves before she was replaced 11:04 into the middle period by Ava McNaughton, who also stopped three shots as the U.S. outshot the Swiss 53-6.
Janecke opened the scoring with a power play goal on a rebound 11:23 into the game. Coyne doubled the advantage 1:04 later before Janecke added her second with 4:55 remaining in the opening period.
Harvey netted the fourth with a shot high into the net in the final second of the middle period before Coyne finished it off with 1:19 to go in the final frame.
