Dominik Kubalik and Jakub Flek found the back of the net within about six minutes of the second half of the first half and those goals were enough to give Czechia a 2-0 victory over Norway in a Group B game of the Ice Hockey World Championship on Saturday in Riga, Latvia.
Kubalik broke the tie 12:33 into the opening frame with his seventh goal of the tournament in five games on the power play. The Detroit Red Wings forward has also ranked first since the start of the tournament with his seven goals and his total of 11 points.
At the other end, goaltender Karel Vejmelka stopped Norway’s 27 shots (1-0-3-1 – 4 points) and earned his first shutout of the tournament. He also picked up an assist on Flek’s goal, scored at 18:43 of the first period.
The victory allowed Czechia (4-0-0-1 – 13 points) to temporarily climb to first place in the Group B standings, one point ahead of Switzerland and two ahead of Canada.
Switzerland and Canada cross swords this afternoon in Riga.
In a Group A match played in Tampere, Finland, the United States collected a fifth regulation victory in as many outings, winning 3-0 against Denmark.
The Americans had to wait until midway through the third period to score their first goal when Cutter Gauthier beat goaltender George Sorensen, who had replaced Frederik Dichow at the start of the second period, on a power play at 9:51.
After getting an assist on Gauthier’s goal, Alex Tuch made it 2-0 with just over four minutes left in the third period.
Tuch also participated in the net of Rocco Grimaldi, scored during the last minute of regulation time, in an empty net.
Casey DeSmith stopped all 22 Denmark shots (2-0-2-1 – 8 points) and was credited with the shutout.
In five games since the start of the tournament, the United States have amassed 21 goals and given up only five.