Russia grabs world hockey champs title, crushes Finland 5-2

Russia’s national ice hockey squad has defeated team Finland 5-2 in the battle for the gold at the 2014 World Hockey Championship in Minsk, Belarus.

This is Russia’s fifth world title since the collapse of the Soviet Union and 28th counting the victories of the Red Machine.

Following a disappointing failure at the Sochi Olympics – when the Russian team was bounced from the Games following a loss to Finland in the quarterfinals – the squad made a triumphant comeback at the World Championship.

The Russians got to the final unbeaten, taking 2013 champs, the Swedes 3-1. Sweden completed the podium, beating Czech Republic 3-0 in the bronze match of the championship.

Olympic Champs Canada were eliminated in quarter-final play after a defeat to Finland.

Russian forward Viktor Tikhonov has become the top scorer and sniper at the championship, scoring eight goals and assisting his partners eight times during the 10 matches, flawlessly won by the Russian team. Another two Russian players – Danis Zaripov and Sergey Plotnikov – were the second and third top scorers of the tournament.