Defending champions Russia extended their winning ways at the World Championships with a hard-fought 3-2 win over hosts Germany in their Group E clash in Cologne on Saturday.
Washington Capitals star striker Alexander Ovechkin netted Russia’s winning goal, while Semyon Varlamov made 32 saves to assure their team’s fourth consecutive win.
Russia, who had won all seven previous meetings with Germany at the Worlds in the post-Soviet Era, looked rusty from the start, making too many unforced mistakes. Their careless play resulted in two early minor penalties, which Germany failed to convert.
PHOTO: AFP
Nevertheless, it was Russia who scored the opening goal through New Jersey Devils marksman Ilya Kovalchuk, who sent home a ricochet from Los Angeles Kings forward Alexander Frolov’s shot 14 minutes, 20 seconds into the match.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nikolai Kulemin added his goal 6 minutes, 10 seconds into the second period, redirecting into the net a shot by Maxim Afinogenov to make it 2-0 for Russia.
Vancouver Canucks defender Christian Ehrhoff reduced the arrears, changing the path of his teammate Michael Wolf’s shot with just a second remaining before the second intermission.
Ovechkin restored Russia’s two-goal lead from Alexander Semin’s cross-ice pass with 10 minutes, 14 seconds to go in the match.
Alexander Barta made it 3-2 four minutes later, setting up a nervous finale.
Meanwhile, in Group F, Switzerland also recorded their fourth consecutive win, beating the Czech Republic 3-2 in Mannheim.
Switzerland dominated at the start and veteran striker Martin Pluss gave his team the lead after 4 minutes, 13 seconds, sweeping in a rebound. Andreas Ambuhl made it 2-0 with 5 minutes, 53 seconds remaining before the first intermission.
In the second period, the Czechs leveled through forward Jan Marek and defender Miroslav Blatak, before Ambuhl netted his second of the match.
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