UFA, Russia -- Russia routed Germany 7-0 Saturday for its third straight victory at the junior ice hockey world championships.
Yaroslav Kosov scored a hat trick in the third period for the Russians, who had already decided the game by then.
Nikita Kucherov gave the hosts the lead just a minute into the game, before Nail Yakupov and Danil Zharkov added goals in the first period. Defenceman Albert Yarullin netted the fourth in the second period.
Russia goalkeeper Andrei Vasilevski had 41 saves for the shutout. Russia tops Group B with nine points and will face Canada on Monday in a game that will likely decide the group winner.
Earlier Saturday, Viktor Arvidsson scored twice as Sweden beat Latvia 5-1 to secure a spot in the knockout round.
Sweden dominated the match but struggled to find a way past goalkeeper Ivars Punnenovs, until Emil Molin gave the Swedes the lead with 50 seconds left in the first period. Teodors Blugers equalized for the winless Latvians, but Sebastian Collberg restored the lead before the interval and Sweden added three late goals to wrap up the win.
Arvidsson scored two quick goals midway through the third and Alexander Wennberg added the fifth with less than a minute to play.
Sweden tops Group A with eight points from three games, while Latvia is last with zero points.
