With their first win at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Riga, Canada retained their quarter-final chance. After three defeats, the 26-time world champion faced some difficulties against Norway on Wednesday with a 4: 2 (2: 0.1: 2.1: 0). On the other hand, the German team suffered a setback after three wins against the newly promoted Kazakhstan with a 2: 3 (0: 0.2: 1.0: 2). Belarus Olympic qualification opponents of Belarus were defeated by Great Britain 3: 4 (0: 1.1: 2.2: 1).

Canada got off to a great start. Adam Heinrich of the Anaheim Ducks scored after 22 seconds and assistant donor Connor Brown (Ottawa Senators) made it 2–0 (10th). But Norsker equaled Thomas Vulcave Olsen (30th) and Mats Roselli Olsen (31st), another surprise was up in the air. Andrew Mangiapen from the Calgary Flames (35th) and Heinrich (51st), however, confirmed the success of “Maple Leaves”. They will now have to win the rest of Group B matches and expect help to reach the final eight.

Despite three wins, the Germans still needed points. Defending champions Finland, the United States and hosts Latvia await as opponents on Saturday. The Kazakhs defeated Finland and Latvia in the first penalty shootout and lost to the United States.

In Group A, Russia won 3–0 (0: 0.1: 0.2: 0) against Denmark in their fourth match for their third win. The British were already 4–1 against the Belarusians, scoring two goals, but saved their first success in the regular 60 minutes with time. Belarus is one of the opponents of the EHV team in Olympic qualification for Beijing in late August.

From: vanity