Russia snatch last-gasp win over Sweden

BERNE (Reuters) - Holders Russia scored in overtime to beat Sweden 6-5 and open the qualification stage at the world ice hockey championship Thursday.

Canada's Steve Stamkos led the way with two goals and an assist as they thumped Czech Republic 5-1 while Latvia beat hosts Switzerland 2-1 in a shootout and Belarus overcame Norway 3-2 in overtime.

Dmitri Kalinin scored with 56 seconds of overtime remaining to give the Russians victory over 2006 champions Sweden after both teams led in a see-saw match.

Ilya Kovalchuk provided three assists as Russia went top of Group E with nine points.

"The Swedes made it tough for us out there," Russian coach Vyacheslav Bykov told reporters. "We didn't have the speed tonight and the passing wasn't up to par. I think it shows that we had played three games without having to give our best."

The teams shared two goals apiece in the first period and one each in the second before Kristian Huselius scored his second of the game to put the Swedes 4-3 ahead at 9:45 of the final period.

Russia leveled 22 seconds later when Sergei Mozyakin, making his tournament debut, pivoted and lifted a shot past Jonas Gustavsson, who replaced the injured Johan Holmqvist halfway through the match.

Vitali Proshkin flicked home what appeared to be the winner for Russia with 2.22 left but Huselius thumped in a loose puck one minute later to level at 5-5.

In the group's other game, Latvia continued their impressive run with a shock win over the hosts.

Canada lead Group F with nine points after scoring three power play goals in the first period to set up their win over the Czechs.

Stamkos swiped the puck into an empty net at 7:20 and was on target again shortly afterwards when he received the puck with his back to goal, spun and lifted it over Roman Stepanek's glove.

Shea Weber then scored with a slapshot two minutes from the end of the period before Canada cruised home.

Ruslan Salei tapped in the winner with 25 seconds remaining to give Belarus a 3-2 win over Norway in the same group.

The 12 teams are divided into two groups of six for the qualifier round and the top four in each qualify for the quarter-finals.

Teams carry through points from preliminary round games against opponents who are also in their qualification group.

(Editing by John Mehaffey)