Belarus celebrate following their superb victory over the United States today at the Ice Hockey World Championships ©AFP/Getty Images

Belarus enjoyed a stunning 5-2 win over the United States today at the men's Ice Hockey World Championships in Ostrava to move top of the Group B leaderboard and boost their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.

The US, seeking to follow their superb win over defending champions Russia earlier this week, had won all five encounters between the two teams over the last 15 years, but it soon became apparent they would have their work cut out to continue that record this time around.

Despite outshooting their opponents 13-7, the North Americans were unable to break the deadlock in the first period and, after the interval, the Europeans found their range, with three goals in five minutes.

A sweeping Belorussian counter led to the first as Artur Gavrus smashed home after a solo break, before Artyom Volkov doubled the lead, finding the net after latching on to a pass from Sergei Kostitsyn.

Alexander Kitarov then made it three after scoring off the rebound after his first shot was blocked.

After a tight start, the Belorussians proved too strong in attack for the US ©AFP/Getty Images
After a tight start, the Belorussians proved too strong in attack for the US ©AFP/Getty Images

Brock Nelson pulled one back for the US after latching onto a beautiful precision pass from Jack Eichel, but two further goals from Alexei Kalyuzhny made victory certain for the 2014 hosts, and deemed Torey Krug's strike for the Americans nothing more than a consolation.

"It just worked out that we got a couple of counter attacks," said Kostitsyn afterwards.

"They made mistakes in defence and we were able to take our chances.

"It wasn't that the US was weak in defence, we were just stronger on offence."

Hosts Czech Republic also got back on track today after their defeat to Canada last time out with a welcome 5-1 demolition of France in Group A in Prague's O2 Arena.

Ondrej Nemec was the standout player with two goals and an assist, while Vladimir Sobotka, Jaromir Jagr, and Roman Cervenka also scored.

Sweden also edged Germany 4-3 today in Group A while Finland ran out more comfortable 4-0 winners over Slovenia in Group B.



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