The hosts Finland and Latvia are on course for the quarter-finals at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Tampere and Riga.
World champion and Olympic champion Finland in Group A defeated newly promoted Hungary 7:1 (1:0, 1:1, 5:0) after initial difficulties and climbed to third place in the table. The Latvians found it much more difficult with newly promoted Slovenia at 3: 2 (1: 0, 2: 2, 0: 0).
Stanley Cup winner Mikko Rantanen convinced the Finns as a preparer with three assists. Former DEL striker Rihards Bukarts scored two goals and was the match winner for the Balts, who consolidated fourth place in Group B.
The Latvians also benefit from the sensitive defeat in Slovakia. The Olympic bronze medalist surprisingly lost 3:4 (1:0, 0:3, 2:0, 0:0, 0:1) after a penalty shoot-out against Kazakhstan and is now three points behind the hosts. Kazakhstan’s goalie Andrei Schutov parried in the shootout against two Slovakian shooters and secured the world number 16. the victory.
Hungary 1-7 Finland (0-1, 1-2, 0-5). – Goals: 0:1 Lehtonen (12:52), 0:2 Kakko (23:09), 1:2 Sebok (26:46), 1:3 Ohtamaa (40:51), 1:4 Hartikainen (43: 24), 1:5 Kapanen (46:20), 1:6 Merela (54:42), 1:7 Armia (59:01). – Penalty minutes: Hungary 12 – Finland 0. – Spectators in Tampere: 11547
Latvia 3-2 Slovenia (1-0, 2-2, 0-0). – Goals: 1:0 Bukarts (11:14), 1:1 Kuralt (27:55), 2:1 Daugavins (31:20), 3:1 Bukarts (37:39), 3:2 Verlic (39: 47). – Penalty minutes: Latvia 6 – Slovenia 8. – Spectators in Riga: 9180
Austria 2-4 Germany (1-2, 0-1, 1-1). – Goals: 0: 1 Storm (04:22), 1: 1 Wolf (11:15), 1: 2 Tuomie (16:28), 1: 3 Stachowiak (33:32), 2: 3 Haudum (53: 25), 2:4 (58:56). – Penalty minutes: Austria 0 – Germany 4. – Spectators in Tampere: 7451
Kazakhstan – Slovakia 4:3 (0:1, 3:0, 0:2,1:0) pt – Goals: 0: 1 Koch (14:58), 1: 1 Startschenko (21:03), 2: 1 Orekhov (24:50), 3: 1 Rymarev (25:22), 3: 2 Panik (48: 33), 3: 3 Regenda (56:58), 4: 3 Michailis (65:00) (penalty). – Penalty minutes: Kazakhstan 8 – Slovakia 8. – Spectators in Riga: 3670