Finland wins 2nd straight at world juniors with shutout of Latvia

Sweden edges Czech Republic in OT to remain undefeated, U.S. routs Switzerland

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Caption: Finland's Oliver Kapanen, left, and Latvia's Richards Simanovics, right, battle for position during the second period of Finland's 3-0 win at the world juniors on Thursday. (Ron Ward/The Canadian Press)

Jani Nyman had a goal and an assist and Jani Lampinen made 17 saves as Finland shut out Latvia 3-0 on Thursday at the world junior hockey championship.
Niko Huuhtanen and Konsta Kapanen also scored for Finland (2-1-0) which won its second straight game after opening with a 3-2 overtime loss to Switzerland.
Patriks Berzins made 26 saves for Latvia, which fell to 0-2-1.
The win moved Finland three points clear of the Swiss for top spot in Group B. Switzerland faced the United States later Thursday in Moncton.
Finland finishes preliminary-round play Saturday against the Americans.
Latvia, last in Group B with one point, finishes group play Friday against Slovakia.

Sweden edges Czechs in OT

Meanwhile, Ludvig Jansson scored his second goal of the game in overtime as Sweden remained undefeated through three games with a 3-2 win over the Czech Republic.
Fabian Wagner also scored for Sweden, which leads Group A with eight points through two regulation wins and an overtime win.

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David Jiricek and Jiri Tichacek scored for the Czechs, who are second in the group with seven points (two regulation wins and an overtime loss).
Sweden wraps up preliminary-round play against host Canada, while the Czechs wrap up against Germany. Both games are on Saturday.

U.S. routs Switzerland

Jimmy Snuggerud potted a pair of goals as the United States stomped Switzerland for its second win of the tournament.
Tyler Boucher, Logan Cooley and Luke Hughes also tallied for the Americans, who rebounded from Wednesday's 6-3 loss to Slovakia.
Attilio Biasca scored for the Swiss.
U.S. goaltender Trey Augustine made 18 saves, while Swiss netminder Alessio Beglieri stopped 37 of the 42 shots he faced.
The U.S. now sits second in Group B with two wins and a loss, while the Swiss are third with two overtime wins and a loss.
Regulation wins at the tournament are worth three points, while overtime wins are worth two and overtime losses are worth one.