Switzerland beat Germany

Switzerland remain on course for the play-offs at the Ice Hockey World Championships after a hard-fought victory over Germany in Prague.

A tight clash between the two sides saw both goaltenders in fine form as the match remained goalless through into the third period.

Leonardo Genoni had an inspired game in goal for Switzerland as he made 18 saves to earn the shutout, while Germany looked on course to erase the bad memory of their 10-0 defeat to Canada last time out.

However, Denis Hollenstein denied them that luck as they fell to a second-successive defeat, the Swiss forward firing high into the roof of the net over Pielmeier's glove.

Elsewhere in Group A, there was a first triumph for France, Damien Fleury and Laurent Meunier scoring in the third period to give them a 2-0 win over Austria.

Belarus moved into second place in Group B after coming from behind to beat Denmark 5-1 in Ostrava, Yevgeni Kovyrshin netting twice as they leapt above Russia and Finland.

Meanwhile, two late goals from Marian Gaborik sent Slovenia to a third successive defeat, the forward completing a third-period comeback from Slovakia who ran out 3-1 winners.