[panoo]

Canadian Press
Jan 4, 2007, 5:34 PM EST

LEKSAND, Sweden (AP) - The Czech Republic beat Finland 6-2 to finish fifth at the world junior hockey championship Thursday while Germany and Belarus were relegated to a lower division next year.

Michael Frolik scored twice in the first period to put the Czechs ahead 2-0 and added a third to increase the lead to 4-1 6:25 into the second.

Mikko Lehtonen pulled the Finns within two with 1:55 remaining in the period but Vladimir Sobotka made it 5-2 just 37 seconds later. Tomas Kudelka added the final goal midway through the third period.

In the relegation round, Slovakia routed Belarus 9-0. Belarus is now relegated to Division I next year. Juraj Mikus had two goals for Slovakia, with seven other players also scoring.

Germany also was relegated after losing 5-3 to Switzerland. The Germans led twice in the first period behind a pair of goals by Felix Schutz, but saw Switzerland equalize both times.

FULL STORY

 

[Amanda]

Way to go Czechs! Although I expected them higher then that and better in the tournament guess its better then last. Hopefully they improve for next year, nothing like having the host team completly blow the tournament.

 

[Rids]

It's too bad that Germany had to face Switzerland. I think both of those teams deserve to stay up rather than Slovakia.

 

[panoo]

I can't believe Finland? I thought they would do better than they have?