BERN, Switzerland — Russia scored three power-play goals and beat the United States 4-1 in a second-round game at the hockey world championship on Saturday.
The U.S. took an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Lee Stempniak, but penalties proved costly as Russia rallied to make it 3-1 at the end of the first period. Russia increased its lead on another power play early in the second period, and the U.S. couldn’t rally in the teams’ first meeting at the worlds in five years.
Defending champion Russia secured a spot in the quarterfinals as a top seed, having won Group E with 11 points with a game to spare.The U.S. is second with seven points with one game to play.
Also, Belarus upset Finland in a shootout after a 1-1 tie in Zurich and will advance from Group F if unbeaten Canada beats last-place Norway today.
Latvia and the Czech Republic are on the brink of knockout play after dominating wins. Latvia routed France 7-1 in Bern and the Czechs handed Slovakia an 8-0 thrashing in Zurich to eliminate its neighbor.
Federer fails to reach final
ROME — Defending champion Novak Djokovic rallied after a rain delay to beat Roger Federer 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinals of the Rome Masters, extending Federer’s title drought to seven months.
Djokovic will face Rafael Nadal in today’s final, after the top- ranked Spaniard cruised past Fernando Gonzalez 6-3, 6-3. Nadal extended his clay-court winning streak to 29 matches, stretching back to an opening-round loss in Rome last year.
• Top-ranked Dinara Safina rallied to defeat Flavia Pennetta 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 to set up a showdown with Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final of the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany.
Kuznetsova defeated second- seeded Elena Dementieva 6-4, 6-2.
Safina, who became No. 1 last week, advanced to her third final of the year. She was runner-up at Sydney and at the Australian Open.
Marshall players arrested
BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. — Two Marshall University football players have been suspended after being arrested on drug charges in western West Virginia.
Tailback Darius Marshall and defensive back DeQuan Bembry were arrested early Saturday and charged with possession with intent to deliver.
Acorn next for Oaks winner
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Rachel Alexandra is heading to Belmont Park, but won’t run in the Belmont Stakes.
The 3-year-old filly, who crushed the field in Friday’s Kentucky Oaks by a record 20 1/4 lengths, will likely make her next start in the $300,000 Acorn at Belmont on June 6, the same day as the final jewel of the Triple Crown.
Footnotes.
Starting guard Courtney Lee has been medically cleared to play, but is not expected back for the Orlando Magic anytime soon as he recovers from surgery on his fractured sinus.
• Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brian Rafalski (upper-body injury) will not play against the Anaheim Ducks today.
The Associated Press
