Russia beats Slovakia to take first in Group B

WJC;-Russia

Russia clinched top spot in Group B on Thursday. (Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva/AP)

HELSINKI — Russia edged Slovakia 2-1 on Thursday to secure first place in Group B at the world junior hockey championship.

Artur Lauta opened the scoring at Hartwall Arena and Yegor Rykov gave Russia a two-goal lead midway through the second period.

Christian Jaros had the lone goal for the Slovaks, who fell to 1-3.

Russia has won all four games in the preliminary round, including the last three in regulation time.

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