Czechs beat Swiss 3-1

PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Jaromir Jagr scored a goal and Martin Straka had two assists to help the Czech Republic beat Switzerland, 3-1, in qualifying round play at the hockey world championship Sunday.

In Ostrava, Pavol Demitra had two goals and an assist in Slovakia's 8-0 win over Denmark.

The Czechs lead Group E with eight points. The Swiss, who have scored three times in their last three matches, likely will need to beat Germany on Tuesday to advance to the quarterfinals.

Slovakia's victory moved it into first place of Group F with seven points, two ahead of Sweden and Finland. Denmark is out of quarterfinal contention.

Swiss goaltender Marco Buhrer had 41 saves in his first start of the tournament. Roman Cechmanek stopped 17 for the Czechs.

"We tried to keep their players away from our goalie," Swiss defenseman Goran Bezina. "He played really well in net."

Jaroslav Spacek, Jagr, and Vaclav Prospal scored for the Czechs, while Frantisek Kaberle and Straka had two assists each. Patrick Fischer scored Switzerland's lone goal.

The Czechs have won tight matches against underdogs, beating Austria, 2-0, and Latvia, 3-1. They have a tough match coming up against Canada today.

At the Cez Arena in Ostrava, Denmark was outshot, 53-15.

Zdeno Chara, Richard Lintner, Marian Gaborik, Josef Stumpel, Miroslav Satan and Rastislav Pavlikovsky all scored for Slovakia. Jan Lasak gave the Slovaks their second consecutive shutout.

But star winger Marian Hossa injured knee after colliding at center ice with Denmark's Ronny Larsen. The extent of the injury was uncertain but Hossa left the ice unassisted.

In earlier relegation round play, France ended a 257-minute scoreless drought, but was still demoted into Division 1 after losing to Ukraine, 6-2.


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