Slovakia keeps hopes of advancing alive with win over France
KOSICE, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia rebounded from three straight losses with a 6-3 victory over France on Friday, keeping alive its slim hopes of reaching the quarterfinals of the hockey world championships.
Richard Panik scored and had two assists and Erik Cernak had a goal and an assist for Slovakia, which moved into fifth in Group A with six points after five games. The top four teams from each eight-team group advance to the quarterfinals.
Slovakia led 3-0 midway through the second period before France answered with a pair of goals, but the Slovaks scored three times in the first six minutes of the third period.
France, which lost to Denmark in a shootout on Saturday, has not won any of its five games.
In Group B, Norway beat Austria 5-3 in Bratislava in a meeting of two teams looking for their first victory.
Finland plays Britain in Group A later Friday while the Czech Republic faces Italy in Group B.
