Sweden routs China at women's hockey worlds

Elin Holmlov and Erika Holst scored two goals each as Sweden routed China 6-1 on Sunday in the preliminary round of the women's world hockey championships in Finland.

Sweden, the 2006 Olympic silver medallists, plays Canada on Monday for a place in the second round from Group B. Canada crushed China 13-1 on Saturday.

The nine-time champion Canadians are attempting to reclaim the world title they lost to the United States last year in Harbin, China.

In other games Sunday, Russia beat Japan 3-1 in Group A and Kazakhstan edged Switzerland 2-1 in Group C.

The United States, which won its first world title in Sweden four years ago, beat Japan in its opener Saturday and plays Russia on Monday for a spot in the second round.