Russia Needs Shootout To Beat Belarus; Finland Takes 2-1 Win Over Latvia

The Russian team needed a shootout to decide its game against Belarus Friday afternoon in Quebec City, fending off the upset from the No. 5 seed to win, 4-3. Russia, ranked No. 1 in Qualifying Round Group E, fell behind 2-0 in the first period. The Russian team answered with three straight goals, but Belarus scored with less than four minutes remaining to send the game into overtime. After a scoreless five minutes, the game went to a shooutout, where Russia’s Alexei Morozov scored the lone goal. Both teams play back-to-back, as Russia takes on No. 4 seed Sweden and Belarus faces the second-seed Czech team on Saturday.


In Group F, No. 2 Finland defeated No. 6 Latvia, 2-1, in Friday’s early game at the Halifax Metro Centre. The Lightning’s Karri Ramo dressed but did not play behind starting goaltender Niklas Backstrom. Tampa’s Jussi Jokinen recorded no points and played 11:03. Finland outshot Latvia, 64-27. Finland will play Team USA, the third seed, on Sunday. Latvia faces No. 4 Norway, also on Sunday.


In the relegation round, Slovakia defeated Slovenia, 5-1, at the Halifax Metro Centre. In Quebec City, France defeated Italy, 3-2. French goaltender, Cristobal Huet, stopped 40 of 42 shots. Both teams will face each other again on Tuesday.