Turku, Finland (My Sportsbook) - P.J. Axelsson finished with two goals and an assist and Peter Forsberg had a goal and two helpers as Sweden destroyed Denmark, 7-1, in their qualifying round game at the World Hockey Championship in Finland.
Mikael Tellqvist, a goaltender in the Toronto organization, made 22 saves for the Swedes, while Peter Hirsch stopped 46 in defeat.
Axelsson, who plays for the Boston Bruins, scored from in close at 8:28 of the first period to give Sweden a 1-0 edge. However, Frederik Akesson scored the only goal for the Danes just 1:33 later when Tellqvist misplayed a weak wrist shot.
Forsberg then gave Sweden the lead for good with a power-play tally at 15:08 of the first.
The Swedes added another goal in the second period to grab a 3-1 cushion before capping the scoring with four tallies in the final stanza.
Mats Sundin of the Toronto Maple Leafs added a goal and an assist in the victory.
The United States posted a 4-2 victory over Belarus in relegation round action. The important victory ensures that the U.S. will have a place in the elite division at next year's World Hockey Championship.
John Pohl recorded a goal and two assists for the Americans, while Ted Drury added a goal and an assist.
Belarus led 2-1, until Pohl scored a power-play goal with just 24 seconds left in the first.
Pohl and the U.S. power play gave the Americans their two-goal edge in the second stanza. Jordan Leopold scored at 9:35 of the period tipping Pohl's shot past Belarusian goaltender Sergei Shabanov. Pohl then fed Adam Hall on another power-play tally with just 43 seconds left in the second.
Ryan Miller made 22 saves for the U.S., while Shabanov stopped 29 shots.
Japan and Slovenia skated to a 3-3 tie in the day's other relegation round matchup.
In other qualifying round games Saturday, Germany pounded Austria, 5-1, Switzerland downed Latvia, 4-2, and Finland blasted Ukraine, 9-0.
Len Soccio and Tomas Martinec scored first-period goals as Germany cruised past the Austrians.
Patrick Fischer scored twice for the Swiss as they tuned up for their game against Canada.
Kimmo Rintanen posted four goals and an assist for Finland, while Teemu Selänne of the San Jose Sharks scored twice.
