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.