Finland collapes against Russia, Sweden blanks USA

Hosts Finland had a great game going in the top game against Russia and were up 3-1 in the second period when they suddenly collapsed and conceded four goals within eight minutes. It all started when Andrei Svetlakov finished off a shorthanded counter attack to reduce Finlands lead to 3-2. Four minutes later Pavel Krakovski tied the game with some luck after his shot bounced off a Finnish defender on a power play. Shortly afterwards Russia got a power play again and this time Vladislav Kamenev finished off a nice power play. And if that wasn't enough just 37 seconds later Alexander Polunin managed to push a loose puck into the net for a 5-3 lead.

Finland managed to refocus and got one goal back early in the second period after a chaotic situation in front of goal. But with seven minutes to go Radim Fazleyev killed the hope for the Finnish lions when he scored on his own rebound for 6-4 that was also the final result.

In the other top game today Sweden managed to win 1-0 against USA after a stellar goaltending performance by Sweden's Linus Söderström who made 46 saves for the shutout. It was the first win in 20 years for Sweden against USA at a WJC tournament. USA dominated the game with 46-23 in shots on goal and they especially created many chances on their many power play attempts. In the second period USA played 5 on 3 for about a minute but Söderström made some fantastic save to keep Sweden in the lead. A lead that Alexander Nylander had gave Sweden when he scored with a backhand on a breakaway from the blueline. In the third period the US had more problems creating chances and in the final minutes two stupid penalties killed all chances of an equalizer. "Guys followed our instructions, the only thing we couldn't do was find the net. We had plenty of opportunities, but give their goalie credit, he was sensational," Team USA head coach Ron Wilson said to iihf.com.

In the derby between Czech Republic and Slovakia Vitek Vanecek recorded a shutout when the Czechs won 2-0. David Pastrnak who arrived in Helsinki today opened the scoring in the second period and Dominik Lakatos doubled the lead in the third period.

In the final game of the day Canada as expected had no problems beating Denmark. Canada outshout the Danes 56-11 but Denmark actually took the lead and at the end Canada only won 6-1. Alexander True was the opening scorer for Denmark after a nice play by Mathias From. But the lead only stood for 63 seconds before Canada used a poor Danish line change for a counter attack and Anthony Beauvillier had an easy finish. In the second period Canada quickly sailed away to 4-1 after goals by Quenneville, Barzal and Crouse and later also Marner and Strome added goals for Canada.

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