Ice hockey world cup
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 for 4: 2 (2: 0 1: 2 1: 0) against Norway on Wednesday. Germany suffered a setback against the newly promoted Kazakhstan after three wins with 2: 3 (0: 0 2: 1 0: 2). Austrian Olympic opponents Belarus lost to 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 Connor Brown (Ottawa Senators) held 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, ensured 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.
Germany’s first defeat
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.
