Defending champions Canada prevailed over 2002 title-winners Slovakia 5-0 in their world championship Group B encounter to record their fifth win in as many matches in Saint Petersburg yesterday.
Derick Brassard of New York Rangers collected a goal and an assist, while Cam Talbot produced 18 saves for a shutout setting Canada on their way to a 15th consecutive win at the worlds.
Toronto rear guard Morgan Rielly put Canada into the lead with a shot from the blue line, while Colorado center Matt Duchene scored off Brad Marchand’s pass from behind the goal to give Canada a 2-0 lead at the first break.
Edmonton winger Taylor Hall and Winnipeg center Mark Scheifele added a powerplay goal apiece in the second, while Brassard completed Slovakia’s whitewashing halfway into the third period. In the early Group B match two-time former champions Finland beat France 3-1 to maintain their 100-percent record.
Esa Lindell, Florida Panthers’ Alexander Barkov and Patrik Laine all scored in the second period to put Finland 3-0 ahead.
Mikko Koskinen lost a shutout with 7:29 remaining when Pierre-Edouard Bellemare netted a consolation on a two-man powerplay.
In a clash of minnows in Group B played in Saint Petersburg, promoted Hungary needed only 17 shots to beat Belarus 5-2 to record their first win at the worlds in 77 years.
Janos Vas scored two shorthanded goals as Krisztian Nagy, Balasz Sebok, and Vilmos Gallo netted one apiece to secure Hungary’s first success since an 8-1 victory over Belgium on February 3, 1939.
In an early Group A match in Moscow, nine-time former world champions Sweden edged neighbours Norway 3-2.
Detroit right winger Gustav Nyquist opened the score in the second period, while Martin Lundberg put Sweden 2-0 ahead in the third before Mats Rosseli Olsen narrowed their lead.  
After Robert Rosen scored Sweden’s third, Norway head coach Roy Johansen substituted his goalie for the sixth field player and Andreas Martinsen reduced the arrears again, but the Swedes managed to hold on.
“Norway are always tough opponents,” Sweden manager Per Marts said.
“All of our meetings at the worlds were close games and we were prepared for the worst today too. So I’m happy we could win this game.”
In Group A, Russia, who boosted their line-up with three Washington Capitals—Alexander Ovechkin, Yevgeni Kuznetsov and Dmitri Orlov—overpowered Switzerland 5-1 to keep tabs on leaders Czech Republic.  
Ivan Telegin lifted Russia 1-0 up five minutes into the game, sweeping the puck home on a breakaway, while Kuznetsov added his goal 8:40 into the second.
In the third period, Telegin netted his second of the match, while Sergei Shirokov made it 4-0 for Russia before Simon Mozer pulled one back.
Sergei Mozyakin rounded off the scoring with 17 seconds remaining.
“We’ve got three points and that’s the main thing about this game,” Telegin said.
“There were plenty of physical play and clashes today. But we were the better side in this respect also.”