PARDUBICE, Czech Republic — The host Czech Republic rebounded from Wednesday's opening-day loss to the Canadians to beat Denmark 5-2 and pull even with Sweden in second place with three points in Group A.
Elsewhere Thursday, Russia outlasted Kazakhstan 5-4 to climb into first place in Group B, while Finland beat Switzerland 4-3 in a shootout.
Kazakhstan took a 2-0 lead on Russia 14:21 into the opening period on goals by Yevgeni Rymarev and Konstantin Savenkov. Russia rallied with three goals in the second to take the lead midway through the period.
The two sides traded goals and Kazakhstan tied it a second time with 6:50 remaining when Mikhail Kachulin scored unassisted. Twenty seconds later, Yuri Alexandrov converted from close range for Russia.
In other games, Michael Frolik scored three in the first period helping to lead the Czechs over Denmark.
Juuso Puustinen scored his second goal of the tournament to spark a three-goal spurt by Finland, which overcame two-goal deficit and prevailed in the shootout. Jarkko Malinen put Finland ahead 3-2 at 3:05 of the third, but Gregory Sciaroni tied the game with 46 seconds remaining and sent the game into overtime and eventually the penalty shootout.
