Finland kept their perfect record as they beat the United States 4-1 at the 2022 Ice Hockey World Championships in Tampere on Monday.
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The host country has three wins in as many matches at this tournament so far. Canada, Sweden and Switzerland are the other unbeaten teams so far.
Against Uncle Sam’s country, the Finns benefited from a brilliant display from striker Sakari Manninen. The 30-year-old veteran scored once and provided two assists for three points. Mikko Lehtonen also played his part with a goal and an assist. Mikael Granlund and Valtteri Filppula also scored as crowd favourites.
In the third half, in an already lost matter, Alex Galchenyuk robbed goalkeeper Jussi Olkinuora of a shutout. He made 22 saves. At the other end of the rink, Strauss Mann stopped 21 of Finland’s 25 shots.
A costly victory for Germany
In Helsinki, Germany beat France 3-2 but lost the services of their best striker: Tim Stützle.
The Ottawa Senators player has apparently injured his left leg after being hit by defender Thomas Thiry in the first half. He did not return to the game after that.
It was Leonhard Pföderl’s success in the third period that allowed Germany to distance their French rival.
Daniel Fischbuch and Alexander Ehl scored the other goals for the winners, while the answer for the losers came from the sticks of Alexandre Texier and Hugo Gallet.
A first victory for Latvia
Earlier in the day in Tampere, Latvia clinched their first win of the competition by beating Norway 3-2.
The winners had their best moments in the second leg when Nikolajs Jelisejevs and Roberts Bukarts moved the ropes.
Norway caught up in the third period with a Max Krogdahl win. However, she could not beat goalkeeper Elvis Merzlikins again.
The Columbus Blue Jackets representative in the National League stopped 34 of the rivals’ 36 shots. He was also beaten by a throw from Mats Rosseli Olsen in the first period. Also in this commitment Rodrigo Abols opened the top scorer for Latvia.