TAMPERE – Finland’s host, Finland, overcame a first period defeat to defeat Latvia 2-1. This was the second victory in two games of the Ice Hockey World Championship.
Nashville PredatorsForward Mikael GranlundA mere week after being eliminated in North America’s NHL postseason,, scored the winner with 2:52 left in the final period of Group B in Tampere. Rudolfs BalcersLatvia led 1-0 in the first period. Sakari Manninen scored a power play in mid-frame to equalize. Granlund’s goal was scored by Manninen, who also assisted Granlund.
Finland, which was last year’s runner up in the tournament, beat Norway 5-0 Friday, while Latvia fell to the United States 4-1.
After losing to Canada on the previous day, Germany defeated Slovakia 2-1 in Helsinki’s Group A. Matthias PlachtaLeonhard Pfoderl and the Germans had a 2-0 lead with Kristian Pospisil scoring the only goal from Slovakia.
Sweden’s Group B had just three lines against Austria at the opener. This was because the team was waiting on the NHL playoffs results to make the roster.
Joel Kellman, Max Friberg Joakim NordstromEach player contributed a goal to the 3-1 win against a team that, together with France, replaced the Russian or Belarusian teams.
The Czech Republic defeated Britain 5-1 in Group B’s opener. Matej Blumel was the Czech’s leading scorer with two goals, and an assist.
Also in Group A Joachim BlichfeldA hat trick was scored and Nikolaj EhlersDenmark had three assists to defeat Kazakhstan 9-1.
After the first period, there was a three-goal advantage. New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas SiegenthalerSwitzerland’s victory over Italy by a score of 5-2 was thanks to the assistance of all three of those players.
This report was contributed by The Associated Press.