Russia stays unbeaten at Worlds

Minsk, Belarus (SportsNetwork.com) - Russia remained undefeated at the 2014 World Hockey Championship with a 7-2 victory over Kazakhstan on Wednesday.

Sergei Plotnikov had two goals and two assists for the Russians, who have won all four of their games so far in Group B play. Viktor Tikhonov added one goal and three assists.

Sergei Bobrovsky made 16 saves for Russia, which sits atop Group B with 12 points.

Also Wednesday, Ladislav Nagy scored twice to give Slovakia its first win of the tournament, a 5-2 win over Norway. Jan Laco made 18 saves for the Slovaks.

Norway has six points and sits fourth in Group A.

Earlier Wednesday, the Czech Republic and Switzerland posted wins.

Jiri Sekac and Jaromir Jagr scored goals to back an 11-save shutout for Alexander Salak in the Czechs' 2-0 win over Italy. The Czechs had lost to Sweden in a shootout and Canada in regulation after an overtime win against Slovakia to start Group A play.

Reto Berra made 22 saves to help Switzerland hold off Germany, 3-2. Damien Brunner notched a goal and an assist for the Swiss, who earned their first win in Group B after opening with losses to Russia, the United States and Belarus.

Thomas Oppenheimer scored both goals for the Germans, who have lost two in a row after opening with wins over Kazakhstan and Latvia.