Russia beats Sweden in shootout, Finland downs Belarus

Sweden's forward Joel Eriksson Ek, left, and Russia's forward Vladislav Namestnikov challenge for the puck at the Ice Hockey World Championships group A match between Sweden and Russia in the LANXESS arena in Cologne, Germany, Friday, May 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Sweden's forward Joel Eriksson Ek, left, and Russia's forward Vladislav Namestnikov challenge for the puck at the Ice Hockey World Championships group A match between Sweden and Russia in the LANXESS arena in Cologne, Germany, Friday, May 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

By Associated Press May 5, 2017 2 min read

PARIS (AP) – Chicago Blackhawks winger Artemi Panarin scored the winner in a tense shootout as Russia opened its world championship campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Sweden on Friday.

The match finished 1-1 after overtime, sending the match to penalty shots. Nine-time champion Sweden had led through Carolina Hurricanes center Elias Lindholm’s first-period goal before right winger Sergei Andronov leveled for Russia early in the third period.

Lindholm was first up for Sweden in the shootout but shot wide. After the next two skaters also missed, left-winger Panarin scored.

Goalie Andrei Vasilevski then saved Toronto Maple Leafs center William Nylander’s effort to give 2014 champion Russia victory.

The tournament’s matches are split between Paris and the German city of Cologne.