IMATRA, Finland -- Canada is off to the semifinal round at the world under-18 hockey championship, thanks to Travis Konecny. Custom Colorado Avalanche Jerseys . Konecnys third-period goal earned Canada a 3-2 quarter-final victory over Switzerland on Thursday. He scored with 30 seconds remaining in regulation after Switzerland had tied it earlier in the period. Switzerland pulled goalie Gauthier Descloux for the extra attacker afterwards but couldnt beat Canadian netminder Mason McDonald to force overtime. "I think its the same old story, were finding a way," Canadian team coach Kevin Dineen said after the game. "But weve got to do a much better job of showing up the way we play. "Hockey Canada put together some good character players and some talented players. I think weve survived on our talent, now we have to start relying on a little more character." Canada, which finished the preliminary round atop Group A, faces the Czech Republic in the semifinals Saturday in Lapeenranta, Finland. The Czechs, who were second to the U.S. in Group B, advanced with 3-2 quarter-final win over Russia here. John Quenneville and Jake Virtanen had the other goals for Canada, the defending tournament champion. McDonald stopped 19 shots. Dominik Diem and Kevin Fiala replied for Switzerland, which outshot Canada 21-17 but was just 1-for-7 on the man advantage. "Our penalty kill really stood out and I give a lot of credit to our defence, they had a really solid game," Dineen said. "That group really made a difference for us, it was a really satisfying win from that perspective." However, Dineen felt his players didnt make things easy for themselves throughout the game. "Undisciplined penalties, I thought, were an issue for us," he said. "We put ourselves in a lot of disadvantages, not just in terms of manpower but wearing out the body over and over. "Also, our puck decisions have to be better, both in our defensive zone and at the opponents blue-line. I think we were just a little bit too cute and it kept on coming back on us." Diem opened the scoring at 7:50 of the first before Virtanen tied it on the power play at 17:28. Quenneville, a second cousin to Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville, had the lone goal of the second, putting Canada ahead 2-1 with an even-strength marker at 11:58. But the Swiss tied it again on Fialas power-play goal at 15:43 of the third, setting the stage for Konecnys late-period heroics. "We got the right guys on the ice and fortunately ended up with the puck," Dineen said "Even though it wasnt overtime it was pretty dramatic nonetheless. "I thought the Swiss played a heck of a game, they were the better team for stretches. We mightve learned a pretty good lesson and survived this one. Were not going to be that fortunate against the Czechs. Were going to have to change the way we do our business to have that success." Dineen saw some of the Czech Republic-Russia game and was impressed with the Czechs resilience. "I thought in all honesty the Russians played very well but obviously they (Czechs) are a worthy opponent and found a way to stick around," Dineen said. "Theyre pesky and at the end of the night ended up with the win." The Americans take on Sweden in the other semifinal Saturday. The U.S. beat Slovakia 6-2 in its quarter-final game while the Swedes advanced with a lopsided 10-0 victory over Finland. The semifinal victors will meet Sunday in the tournament final after the losers square off in the bronze medal game. Colorado Avalanche Store . The Mercedes duo of three-time Canadian Grand Prix champion Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg has won all six races to start the season, finishing one-two in the last five. Avalanche Jerseys China . First reported by FOX Sports Ken Rosenthal, its unknown if the impetus for the deferral proposal came from players or management, but it never left the preliminary stages. https://www.cheapavalanche.com/ . You can, too, Clay Buchholz, if we ignore the sixth inning of Game 2. Doug Fister and Jake Peavy, youre up next in Game 4 and theres a lot to live up to.SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Jim Harbaugh, in the signature outfit of khaki slacks and black pullover that has been his uniform the past four years, hustled off the field leading the way all by himself with the game ball cradled in his arms.He gathered his team to announce he was leaving, but didnt tell the players where hes going next. After three straight trips to the NFC championship game and a Super Bowl near miss, Harbaugh and the Niners agreed to part ways following four seasons and the disappointment of a down year that began with Super Bowl hopes.Harbaugh will not fulfil the final season of his $25 million, five-year contract coaching the 49ers that he signed in January 2011. The announcement came after Sundays 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals that left the Niners at 8-8.Its been the time of my life, Harbaugh said. Been a lot of great memories, great moments. ... Its been a tremendous four years, its been a pleasure to work and serve for this organization. I feel great about what we accomplished.Before he said his final goodbyes with hugs, handshakes and high-fives — even a greeting from Alex Rodriguez — there was one final Whos got it better than us? No-body!The last, Whos got it better than us? I said it as loud as I could, said wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who could soon follow the San Francisco coachs departure.Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback Harbaugh promoted in November 2012, threw a go-ahead 3-yard touchdown pass to Bruce Miller late in the third quarter and Frank Gore capped another 1,000-yard season with 144 yards on 25 carries.Anquan Boldin caught a 76-yard TD pass and went over 1,000 yards receiving. Gore reached 1,000 yards rushing for the eighth time in 10 NFL seasons with the 49ers. The franchises all-time rushing leader hopes to return to the only team he has known and the team has publicly expressed a mutual interest.Here are some other things we learned from Sundays first-year finale at $1.3 billion Levis Stadium:ARIANS MESSAGE: Coach Bruce Arians was clear to his team: I dont want anybody moping on the plane.The No. 5 seed Cardinals (11-5) missed the franchises first 12-win season and the NFC West title as defending Super Bowl champion Seattle beat St. Louis 20-6 to win the division and the overall top seed.The Cardinals play at Carolina next Saturday, and Arians has been optimistic quarterback Drew Stanton will be back next week from a spraineed right knee that got infected. Colorado Avalanche Pro Shop. It is about short-term memory right now. What we did before doesnt matter anymore, win or lose, linebacker Kevin Minter said. It is time to just kick it into another gear. This is my first time in the playoffs. I have heard it is a whole other beast.LINDLEYS LESSON: Ryan Lindley finally threw his first touchdown pass on his 229th career attempt with a 20-yard strike to Michael Floyd. He did a lot right Sunday, but made some costly mistakes, too.Lindley completed touchdown passes of 20 and 41 yards to Michael Floyd in the first half, then threw a late interception on a last-ditch drive in the closing minutes.I felt the most comfortable Ive felt out on the field probably since Ive been in the NFL, he said. But theres still a handful of plays that kill you.Floyd finished with eight catches for 153 yards. Arians went with Lindley under centre after he originally planned to start rookie Logan Thomas before changing his mind.GORES GAINS: With his sons and family members in attendance, franchise rushing leader Gore provided a bright spot. He became the 11th player in NFL history with eight 1,000-yard seasons and 20th player to reach 11,000 yards rushing.Its a blessing, Gore said, noting he has been emotional about his future. I just wanted to finish it right. ... I cried today because when I first got here I was 21, 10 years ... Knowing this could be my last game here, its tough because this is all I knew.BOLDINS BIG DAY: Facing his former team, Anquan Boldin caught a 76-yard touchdown pass from Kaepernick in the first quarter for the second-longest catch of his career.Boldin became the fourth player in 49ers franchise history with multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons, joining Jerry Rice (12), Terrell Owens (5) and John Taylor (2).He also caught a 9-yard touchdown pass that was negated by rookie centre Marcus Martins chop block penalty.SMITHS FINALE?: 49ers defensive end Justin Smith might be done after a 14-year career.Smith wasnt available after the game, but has said recently he would make a decision after the season.Im still going to be upset about the year but Im excited for Justin Smith and any other guy that might not be here next year, linebacker Dan Skuta said. Im excited they got to go out on a win. Might be Justins last game ever.___AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '