PROVO, Utah ? Ann-Louise Edstrand scored a power play goal in the first period on Monday as Sweden opened a three-goal lead and held on to beat Russia 3-2 on the first day of the Olympic women's hockey tournament.
Sweden outshot Russia 44-14 to put the Russians on the verge of elimination. With the loss, Russia needs a victory or tie over top-seeded Canada (1-0) on Thursday to have any chance of advancing to the medal round.
Lotta Almblad and Kristina Bergstrand also scored, and Annica Ahlen stopped 12 shots for Sweden, which plays bottom seed Kazakstan (0-1) on Thursday with a chance to clinch a berth in the medal round.
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Ekaterina Pashkevitch and Larisa Mishina scored for Russia, and Irina Gashennikova made 41 saves.