The Czech Republic beat Latvia in a 4-3 shoot-out win to remain at the top of their group at the World Hockey Championships in Russia.
"There are no weak teams in our group," Czech forward David Pastrnak was quoted as saying on May 7 about Group A, which is playing in Moscow.
In the same group, Kazakhstan beat Switzerland 3-2 in another shoot-out after a 2-2 draw. And Denmark bested Norway 3-0.
In Group B, which is playing in St. Petersburg, the United States beat Belarus 6-3.
Also in Group B, France beat Germany in a 3-2 shoot-out match, and Slovakia beat Hungary 4-1.
Group A includes Russia, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Latvia, Norway, Denmark, and Kazakhstan.
Group B comprises Canada, Finland, the United States, Slovakia, Belarus, France, Germany, and Hungary.