Defending champ Finland downs Germany, Slovakia beats host Latvia at ice hockey worlds

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TAMPERE, Finland (AP) — Defending champion Finland rebounded from an opening loss to the United States by overcoming Germany 4-3 at the ice hockey world championship on Saturday.

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports Finland’s Mikko Lehtonen, right, and goalie Jussi Olkinuora celebrate as they won the group A match between Germany and Finland at the ice hockey world championship in Tampere, Finland, Saturday, May 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Sakari Manninen had two goals and an assist for Finland, and Mikko Lehtonen and Joel Armia also scored in the Group A game in Nokia Arena.

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports Finland’s goalie Jussi Olkinuora fails to save Germany side’s first goal by Marcel Noebels during the group A match between Germany and Finland at the ice hockey world championship in Tampere, Finland, Saturday, May 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Manninen scored twice within 1:47 of the middle period to rally Finland to 3-2 ahead. John Peterka tied it at 3 in that period, and Lehtonen scored the winner on a rebound from the left circle with 7:15 to go in the final period.

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports Germany’s John Peterka, left, celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal during the group A match between Germany and Finland at the ice hockey world championship in Tampere, Finland, Saturday, May 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Marcel Noebels, Kai Wissmann had a goal each for Germany, which suffered a second straight defeat after losing its opener to Sweden 1-0.

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In other Group A games, Sacha Treille scored 39 seconds into overtime to lift France 2-1 over Austria.

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports Hungary’s Istvan Sofron, left, and Denmark’s Oliver Lauridsen battle for the puck during the group A match between Hungary and Denmark at the ice hockey world championship in Tampere, Finland, Saturday, May 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Nikolaj Ehlers netted twice on power plays for Denmark to down Hungary 3-1.

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports Denmark’s Morten Poulsen celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal during the group A match between Hungary and Denmark at the ice hockey world championship in Tampere, Finland, Saturday, May 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

In Riga, Marek Hrivik scored the decisive goal midway through the final period for Slovakia to edge host Latvia 2-1 in Group B.

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports France’s Sacha Treille celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the group A match between France and Austria at the ice hockey world championship in Tampere, Finland, Saturday, May 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Denis Malgin scored two goals and added an assist to help Switzerland shut out Slovenia 7-0 in their opener in Group B, while Kazakhstan prevailed in a shootout over Norway 4-3.

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© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports France’s Tim Bozon celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the group A match between France and Austria at the ice hockey world championship in Tampere, Finland, Saturday, May 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

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