Americans rally three times to top Russia at worlds

COLOGNE, GERMANY — The United States came back three times to hand Russia its first defeat, 5-3, and top Group A with its sixth straight win at the ice hockey world championship on Tuesday.

Kevin Hayes scored two goals in his second game at the tournament, and Anders Lee earned the match-winner as the U.S. outshot Russia by 35 to 19.

“A great win. We grew as a team today,” forward Johnny Gaudreau said.

They head to the quarter-finals on Thursday, when the U.S. will play Finland, and Russia will meet the Czech Republic.

Finland, playing two-time defending champ Canada later Tuesday in Paris, was sure of finishing fourth in Group B, already topped by Canada, which will play co-host Germany in the quarter-finals.

Switzerland avoided Russia by defeating the Czech Republic 3-1 in Paris to clinch second spot in Group B.

Nick Bjugstad hit the post early on for the U.S. before Artyom Zub was penalized for high sticking, then Nikita Kucherov for slashing, but the Americans failed to make their pressure count.

Nikita Gusev scored on a breakaway with just the Russians’ second shot at 12:29.

With five penalties in the first period, Russian indiscipline was bailed out by their defence, while the Americans were grateful to goaltender Jimmy Howard for a good save on another Russian breakaway.

The U.S. had 16 shots compared to Russia’s three in the first period alone.

Down one goal late in the third, Russia went for broke, but Brock Nelson sealed it for the U.S. with an empty-net goal with 22 seconds remaining.

Earlier, Sweden defeated Slovakia, 4-2, to finish third in Group A for a quarterfinal with Switzerland.

Slovakia finished second to last in the group ahead of relegated Italy. Despite only having 17 skaters available, Belarus defeated Norway, 4-3, to finish on a high in Group B.

Belarus finished second from bottom, above relegated Slovenia and a point behind Norway, which finished two points behind co-host France.