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Wins for Czech Republic and United States in Hockey World Championship Day 8

Czech Republic and United States both recorded victory on Day 8 of the Hockey World Championships on Friday, as Russia prepare to return to the ice on Saturday.

In Group A, the Czechs maintained their unbeaten record by overcoming Kazakhstan at the Ice Palace, winning 3-1 in the first game of the day.

Tomas Plekanec gave the eventual victors the lead just before the seven-minute mark and struck again in the final period to double his side’s advantage.

Despite Nigel Dawes pulling one back for Kazakhstan, a Robert Kousal effort ensured that the Czechs have now won all five of their fixtures in Russia and sit on top of Group A.

Elsewhere in the group, Denmark made slight amends for their 10-1 thumping at the hands of the competition hosts by beating Latvia 3-2.

The teams were equally matched and scored a goal apiece in the first two periods, with the final 20 minutes drawing a stalemate.

As such, a penalty shot shootout was required, with Nicklas Jensen, who also had opened the scoring in normal time for Denmark, proving his country’s hero.

In Group B, United States appear to be coming into some form after a shaky start to the tournament and made it two wins on the bounce by beating the pool’s bottom side Hungary 5-1.

John Hynes’ men had 37 shots compared to their opponents’ eight, but had to wait until the second period to break the deadlock.

Goals from Nick Foligno, Vince Hinostroza and Dylan Larkin in the second 20 minutes virtually handed victory to the US, while Foligno and Connor Murphy completed the scoring in the final period before a consolation from Istvan Sofron.

The result consolidates United States’ third place in Group B, with the North American side looking destined now to make the quarter-finals.

Friday’s action was rounded up by Germany beating European rivals Belarus 5-2 at Yubileiny.

Marco Sturm’s men came out with a point to prove and duly did by scoring three unanswered goals in the first 20 minutes.

Although Belarus scored the first goal of the second period to keep it interesting, Germany were always in control and cruised to their second win of the tournament.

Saturday’s games see Russia back in action, with the competition hosts on a high and set to face Switzerland, with six fixtures in total on Day 9.

Group A participants Kazakhstan and Latvia will also face-off, while Scandinavian rivals Noway and Sweden will compete.

In Group B, frontrunners Finland and Canada will face France and Slovakia respectively, with the in-form pair looking to maintain their 100 per cent records. Hungary and Belarus will also take to the ice.

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