Riga (DPA) – After a historically poor start, Canada’s ice hockey selection has struggled for a second consecutive win and retained their quarter-final chance at the World Cup.

The Canadians defeated the surprisingly strong climber Kazakhstan on Friday 4: 2 (1: 0, 1: 1, 2: 1).

The Canadian team, equipped with several young NHL players, took a 2–0 lead, but had to accept the equalizer. 19-year-old striker Cole Parfetti of the lower class AHL scored the winning goal in the 48th minute. Connor Brown of the NHL Team Ottawa Senators hit an empty goal three seconds before the end. With three defeats, including 1: 3 against Germany, Canada started the weak World Cup as usual.

The Kazakhs gave the German team their first defeat in the tournament on Wednesday. However, for some time, they missed a chance to overtake national coach Tony Soderholm with another win in the Group B table. The German national team will take on defending champions Finland on Saturday (7.15 pm / Sport 1).

In the preliminary round of Group A, former world champion Sweden defeated the underdog Great Britain 4: 1 (1: 1, 2: 0, 1: 0) and secured their second win. Like the Canadians, Sweden will now have to tremble to make it to the quarter-finals.

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