Russia beat Slovakia 4-0 at the IIHF World Championships in Denmark ©Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images

Russia beat Slovakia 4-0 today to set up a straight battle with Sweden for first place in Group A at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships in Denmark.

Maxim Mamin and Nikita Gusev scored first-period goals to set Russia on their way to victory at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen.

Maxim Shalunov and Ilya Mikheyev got in on the act in the third period to complete the win.

Goalkeeper Igor Shestyorkin recorded his second shut-out as the Russians outshot Slovakia 36-23.

"In the first period it was hard because there were no shots on me," Shestyorkin said.

"In the second period I was involved in the game more.

"I had more to do.

"The guys did well - blocking a load of shots and helping us to get the win."

Russia are due to face Sweden tomorrow in the final round of Group A games.

Just one point separates the two teams with defending champions Sweden on 17 and Russia on 16.

Slovakia’s hopes of securing a quarter-final spot are no longer in their hands.

They play winless Belarus tomorrow, but Switzerland are guaranteed to progress to the last eight if they defeat France.

Tobias Lindstrom got his name on the scoresheet as Norway beat South Korea 3-0 in Group B ©Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images
Tobias Lindstrom got his name on the scoresheet as Norway beat South Korea 3-0 in Group B ©Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images

Today's other match in Group A saw Czech Republic overcome Austria 4-3.

The result means the Czechs finish on 15 points in third place and the Austrians end up on four points in seventh. 

In Group B, Norway beat South Korea 3-0 to ensure they avoided relegation and condemned their opponents to the drop.

Tobias Lindstrom, Thomas Valkvae Olsen and Jonas Holos all got their names on the scoresheet at the Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning.

South Korea's relegation to the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I Group A comes just one year after earning promotion for the first time in history.

Today's other match in Group B was won by Canada at the expense of Latvia.

The 2-1 victory after overtime seals Canada's qualification for the quarter-finals.

Headlining the final round of Group B contests tomorrow will be that between leaders United States and second-placed Finland, who need to win in regulation time to snatch top spot.

Canada go up against already-eliminated Germany, while hosts Denmark meet Latvia in a battle for the last quarter-final berth.

Denmark have 11 points going into their match, one more than Latvia.