Hosts Russia had a flying start by beating Denmark 9-1 in their
opener of the ice hockey world championship in Moscow on
Friday.
Meanwhile, the Czech Republic, Finland and the United States
also posted easy victories on the opening day of the
championship.
Russia, hoping for their first world title since 1993, scored
three times in the first four minutes and adding five more before
the game was only half way.
Alexander Frolov completed the scoring spree with four minutes
remaining and Peter Regin was the lone Dane to beat Russian
goaltender Vasily Koshechkin, scoring late in the first period.
"We did what we wanted, scoring three goals early in the game,"
Russia captain Pyotr Schastlivyi said, "But this is only a start,
so we must maintain this level."
In other matches, Finland crushed Ukraine 5-0 with Timo
Parssinen leading with a pair while Pekka Saravo, Sean Bergenheim
and defenseman Petteri Nummelin added a goal each.
Six US players found the net to put the United States 6-2 ahead
of Austria in the opening game of the 16-team tournament in the
town of Mytishchi, just north of the capital.
Phil Kessel, Tobias Petersen, Lee Stempniak, Christopher Clark,
Erik Cole and Brandon Bochenski scored for the Americans, aiming to
win the gold for the first time in 47 years.
Raimund Divis and Oliver Setzinge replied for Austria, who
backed to the elite echelon after a year's absence.
In another Group B game, Tomas Plekanec scored twice to pace the
Czechs, who have won five world titles in the last 11 years, for an
8-2 win over Belarus who only found the net twice, all by captain
Oleg Antonenko.
On Saturday, Sweden open their campaign against Italy, while
2003 and 2004 winners Canada, grouped with Slovakia, Germany and
Norway, meet the Germans.
(Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2007)