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Czechs, U.S. and Russians all win

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MOSCOW, Russia -- The Czech Republic, the reigning world silver medallists, made it two wins out of two in Group B of the world championships with a confident 6-1 thumping of Austria on Sunday.

The Czechs were in complete command from the start and went into a 2-0 lead in the opening period as forwards Petr Sykora and Jaroslav Hlinka scored one apiece.

In the second period, the Czechs eased up on the pressure but scored their third through defender Petr Caslava, who swept in a rebound from close range on powerplay, while Raimund Divis clawed one back for Austria.

Blueliner Michal Barinka made it 4-1 for Czech Republic 4:07 into the third period slapping in from the left face-off circle, while Hlinka scored his second goal at 48:24.

Jan Marek, who was part of the Magnitogorsk squad who won the Russian league earlier this year, wrapped up the goalfest at 55:07 with his powerplay strike.

Later on Sunday, the United States handed Belarus a one-hour masterclass, beating the former Soviet republic 5-1.

Los Angeles Kings' defender Jack Johnsson, St Louis Blues forward Lee Stempniak and Chad Larose of Carolina Hurricanes were all on target for the U.S. in the first period to give their side a commanding 3-0 lead.

Chris Clark of Washington Capitals scored 4:30 into the second, while Stempniak netted his second of the match with five minutes remaining before the second intermission. Oleg Antonenko reduced the arrears in the third period.

In the Group D match Finland, who won world bronze at Riga last year, easily outclassed Denmark 6-2.

Minnesota Wild rear guard Petteri Nummelin netted the opening goal 7:36 into the match, when Finns were on a two-man powerplay.

But Denmark levelled five minutes later through Jesper Damgaard, who scored from Kim Staal's pass whem Denmark also had a two-man advantage.

However, Mikko Koivu, who is also playing with Minnesota, lifted Finland 2-1 up with a shorthanded goal at 14:09 on a breakaway, while Nummelin scored his second powerplay goal of the match with 1:12 remaining in the first period.

In the remaining time, Florida Panthers striker Ville Peltonen, Aki-Petteri Berg and Jukka Hentunen added one apiece to secure Finland's well-deserved victory, while Denmark's Christoffer Kjaergaard finalised the scoring with 5:17 remaining.

The hosts Russia were trailing 1-0 against former compatriots Ukraine after blueliner Serhii Klymentiev scored his powerplay goal four minutes into the match.

But Kazan forwards Alexei Morozov and Sergei Zinoviev replied with their powerplay goals to lift Russia 2-1 up before the first break.

Kazan defenders Ilya Nikulin and Vitaly Proshkin also scored in the second period, while Morozov netted his second to give the hosts a 5-1 lead.

In the third Alexander Radulov scored on powerplay, while Morozov recorded the first hat-trick of the championship. Alexander Frolov made it 8-1 with 3:32 remaining to keep Russia on top of the Group D table.

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