Defending champions Russia continue their impressive start to the world ice hockey championships. They defeated France 7-2 in a one sided-contest in Berne on Sunday night.

A blistering start saw Russia go 5-1 up by the end of the first period.

Aleksandr Radulov and Aleksey Tereschenko both got two on the night.

Russia tops group B with two wins in their first two games.

Next up for them is Switzerland who are in second place after beating Germany 3-2 in overtime.

Elsewhere, the other favorite Canada shoved nine past overmatched Hungary to keep their perfect record in group A. Martin St. Louis recorded a hat-trick in that game.

Belarus moved into third in that group after a victory over Slovakia, who nonethess stay second.