Sweden doubles up Russia at world junior hockey championship

Sweden's Simon Edvinsson sends a shot past Russia goaltender Yaroslav Askarov during second period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action in Red Deer, Alberta on Sunday, December 26, 2021 (Jonathan Hayward/CP).

RED DEER, Alta. — Simon Edvinsson, Emil Andrae and Alexander Holtz each scored one and assisted another to lead Sweden past Russia 6-3 Sunday on the first day at the world junior hockey championship.

Oskar Olausson, Theodor Niederbach and Daniel Ljungman also scored for Sweden (1-0). Helge Grans and William Eklund chipped in with two assists apiece.

Jesper Wallstedt turned away 27 shots in the tournament-opening win in Red Deer, Alta.

Matvei Michkov replied with two third-period goals for Russia (0-1). Fyodor Svechkov also scored.

Russian goalie Yaroslav Askarov gave up three goals on 16 shots before being pulled after two periods. Yegor Guskov stopped 5-of-7 shots in relief in the third.

Canada hosted the Czech Republic later Sunday at Rogers Place, home of the Edmonton Oilers.

In Red Deer, the United States took on Slovakia.

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