MINSK, Belarus -- Viktor Tikhonov scored twice and Alex Ovechkin added a goal and two assists Monday as Russia routed the United States 6-1 for its third straight victory at the ice hockey world championships. San Francisco Giants Pro Shop . Nikolai Kolyomin opened the scoring for Russia and Alex Ovechkin beat veteran goaltender Tim Thomas with backhand on a penalty shot in the first period for his third goal of the tournament. Ovechkin set up both of Tikhonovs goals in the second, with Yevgeni Kuznetsov and Sergei Plotnikov also scoring for Russia. Justin Abdelkader pulled one back for the U.S. to make it 3-1. Russia leads Group G with nine points from three games, while the U.S. has six. Earlier, France overcame Slovakia 5-3 for another upset victory and host Belarus stunned Switzerland 4-3. France followed up its upset win over Canada in its opening game by coming from 3-1 down to beat Slovakia. Damien Fleury scored the winner on a rebound with 3:41 left in regulation to complete the comeback. Antoine Roussel added his second goal into an empty net for Frances fifth. Baptiste Amar also scored twice for France. "I feel like our team has a lot of character," Roussel said. "We created our chances on the power play. We were so aggressive and we didnt take so many shots." Ladislav Nagy had two goals for Slovakia, with captain Miroslav Satan also scoring. France has five points from three games in Group A, while Slovakia remained on one. "Were not ready to give it up," Satan said. "The tournament is not over yet." Mikhail Grabovski netted the decisive goal with 2:06 remaining in the final period in Belarus second victory at the worlds to thrill 15,000 home fans at the Minsk Arena. "Im really proud of my boys," Belarus coach Glen Hanlon said. "The huge support that we have from our fans was likely the difference for us." Goals from Yannick Weber, Reto Schappi and Etienne Froidevaux had given Switzerland a 3-2 lead in the third but Belarus equalized through Sergei Kostitsys second goal. It was the third straight loss for Switzerland, last years runner-up. "Its a difficult situation for us right now we have to stay positive and look forward but it wont be easy," Switzerland coach Sean Simpson said. Belarus has six points in Group B while Switzerland is on zero. San Francisco Giants Store . A quick first step to get to the hoop for a layup. A rousing dunk on the break off a high outlet pass saved by teammate Ramon Sessions. Custom San Francisco Giants Jerseys .J. -- Kevin Gilbride retired Thursday as offensive co-ordinator for the New York Giants. https://www.cheapjerseysgiants.us/ . You can watch the game live on TSN2 and TSN Mobile TV at 9pm et/6pm pt. Jonathan Huberdeau and Quinton Howden are expected to make their debuts for Team Canada.PITTSBURGH -- It is the time of the season when rookie pitchers are fading or even being shut down for the year. Yet Gerrit Cole seems to be just getting started. Cole pitched seven strong innings and got home run help from Marlon Byrd and Jose Tabata, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Chicago Cubs 2-1 Saturday night. The Pirates have won five of six and moved into a first-place tie in the NL Central with St. Louis, which lost to Seattle 4-1. Cole (8-7) gave up one run and five hits. The rookie struck out seven and walked three. The 23-year-old Cole has been outstanding in his last six starts, going 3-2 with a 2.29 ERA with 35 strikeouts and nine walks. He won for just the second time in his last eight home starts. "I dont really have any answer," Cole said about staying strong into mid-September. "Im just staying with my routine and chucking it as long as I can every time I get the ball." Cole, the first overall pick in the 2011 draft from UCLA, has pitched 173 1-3 innings between Pittsburgh and Triple-A Indianapolis. The Pirates have built in extra rest between starts whenever possible, and that plan seems to be paying off. "You never know where surprises are going to come from," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "You didnt know where he was going to be able to take you this season but his actions are speaking loud and clear." Tony Watson pitched the eighth and Mark Melancon worked the ninth to finish off the five-hitter and earn his 15th save in 17 chances. Byrd hit a solo home run off James Russell (1-6) in the seventh to put Pittsburgh ahead 2-1. It was Byrds 23rd home run of the season and second in 17 games since being acquired Aug. 27 from the New York Mets in a trade. He is hitting .323 for the Pirates. Byrd has never been to the post-season in his 12-year career. "Its a blast," Byrd said. "To come here where were selling games out, the whole town is excited, you have the whole thing of wiping out the streak of 20 (consecutive) losing seasons -- its just been amaazing experience so far. Fake Giants Jerseys. What will be more amazing, though, is playing in October." The Pirates, looking for their first post-season berth since 1992, got a tying home from Tabata in the sixth. Pittsburgh maintained a 2 1/2-game lead over Cincinnati in the NL wild-card race. Chicago got its run on Nate Schierholtzs RBI double to right-centre in the first inning. Anthony Rizzo also tried to score on the hit from first base, but was thrown out on a strong relay from Byrd to second baseman Neil Walker to the plate. "That whole play was perfectly executed," Cole said. Scott Baker pitched well again in his second start with the Cubs since recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery, allowing one run and three hits in six innings with four strikeouts and no walks. Last Sunday, in his first major league outing since Sept. 22, 2011, with Minnesota, Baker pitched five scoreless innings against Milwaukee. "He threw the ball well again," Chicago manager Dale Sveum said. "His velocity was a tad better this time and he has that live fastball that really moves. Theres still something there, thats for sure. Hes done a good job." NOTES: Pittsburgh LHP Wandy Rodriguez will not pitch again this season because of continuing pain in his left arm. Rodriguez, who has been on the disabled list since June 6 with forearm tightness, continued to feel pain Saturday, two days after pitching a five-inning simulated game. ... Pirates LF Starling Marte had six plate appearances Saturday in a simulated game, facing LHP Kris Johnson. Though Marte continues to feel pain in his bruised right hand, the Pirates are hopeful he may be able to return to the lineup as soon as Monday. ... OF Brian Bogusevic started in left field for Chicago in place of OF Junior Lake for the third time in four games. Bogusevic entered the day hitting .357 with three home runs in nine September games. ... The four-game series concludes Sunday with Cubs LHP Travis Wood (9-11, 3.05) facing Pittsburgh LHP Francisco Liriano (16-7, 2.92). ' ' '