Soviet Union Posts 7-4 Win Over Canada

MOSCOW — The Soviet Union scored three goals in the first 6:35 Thursday en route to a 7-4 victory over Canada on the first day of play in the medal round of the World Hockey Championships.

In Thursday’s other match, Sweden tied Finland, 4-4, with the help of two last-minute goals nine seconds apart by center Anders Carlsson.

Team Canada, assembled from NHL teams that did not make the playoffs or were osuted early in the first round, was clearly overmatched by the fast-skating Soviets.

Right wing Sergei Makharov led the Soviet attack with a hat trick, left wing Vladimir Krutov had two goals and two assists and Igor Larionov and Valeri Kamenski each added a goal.

Tony Tanti scored twice for Team Canada, and Marcel Dionne and Denis Potvin scored once each.

“What put us in a jam right off the bat, was that we gave up two easy early goals,” Team Canada Coach Pat Quinn said. “Our idea was to keep the score close until late in the game and prevent an early Soviet lead.

“It’s just like playing the Oilers--if you let them pile up a few goals, you cannot stop them. Now we have to reassess our goals--we certainly have no intention of finishing fourth.”