KOSICE, Slovakia — Sergei Zinoviev’s hat trick led Russia over Denmark 4-3 in the second round of the IIHF World Hockey Championships on Thursday.
Zinoviev put the favourite ahead in the first period before Nichlas Hardt and Mikkel Bodker scored for Denmark to lead 2-1.
But Zinoviev led Russia’s comeback with an equalizer midway through the second and added his third with 5:42 remaining in the period.
Danis Zaripov assisted on all three goals by Zinoviev.
“We were a little nervous, and the Danes focused on a good transition game,” Russian coach Vyacheslav Bykov said. “Overall, I’m happy with the result.”
Russia was tied with the Czech Republic and Germany for the lead in Group E. Denmark was without a point and a place in the quarter-finals looked a distant dream with only two more games left.
Yevgeni Artyukhin gave the Russians a two-goal advantage and the eventual winner in the third, and the Danes managed to cut it to one through Hardt’s second goal.
In another second-round game, Norway overcame being outshot 41-25 to beat Switzerland 3-2.
“Our players did their job, even a little bit more against the strong Swiss team, so we’re very happy,” Norway coach Roy Johansen said.
Norway was tied with Canada for the provisional lead in Group F.
In the first matches of the relegation round, Belarus routed Austria 7-2 and Slovenia beat Latvia 5-2.