Sweden slips past Russia with 3-2 win

Jorgen Jonsson scored the game-winner with less than two minutes left Tuesday, lifting Sweden over Russia 3-2 and into first place in its preliminary-round group at the World Hockey Championships.

The Swedes, who lost last year's final to Canada after a controversial overtime goal, rallied from a 2-1 deficit to win the top game of the day. It was Sweden's third straight win in Group C.

P.J. Axelsson of the Boston Bruins set up Jonsson at 18:27 when both teams were playing with four skaters. Jonsson, a former NHLer now back in the Swedish Elite League, one-timed a shot from the right circle that left Russian goalie Maxim Sokolov with no chance.

"It was really nice to see it go in," Jonsson said.

Russia, which beat Denmark 6-2 in the first game, closes out the prelims against winless Japan.

Dick Tarnstrom, who became the first defenseman to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins in scoring this season, put the Swedes one up in the first period when his slap shot from the right circle sailed past Sokolov's glove side.

Ilya Kovalchuk, the Atlanta Thrashers sharpshooter, scored twice for the Russians in the second period. Each time he was left unchecked in front of the cage. He made no mistake.

Early in the second session, just 10 seconds into a Russian power play, Alexei Yashin of the New York Islanders set up Kovalchuk for the tying goal. Eight minutes later, Pittsburgh center Alexei Morozov provided the pass for Kovalchuk that made it 2-1.

Michael Nylander, another Boston forward, tied it again at 13:16 in the third period with a wrister from between the circles, assisted by Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson.

"It was a perfect pass, I just shot and hoped for the best," said Nylander, who took a 400km cab ride from Prague to Ostrava to make the opening faceoff after a transatlantic flight from the US.

"I had no problems getting adjusted to such a well-organized team," he added.