Hosts Russia had a flying start by beating Denmark 9-1 in their opener of the ice hockey world championship in Moscow on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Czech Republic, Finland and the United States also posted easy victories on the opening day of the championship.

Russia, hoping for their first world title since 1993, scored three times in the first four minutes and adding five more before the game was only half way.

Alexander Frolov completed the scoring spree with four minutes remaining and Peter Regin was the lone Dane to beat Russian goaltender Vasily Koshechkin, scoring late in the first period.

"We did what we wanted, scoring three goals early in the game," Russia captain Pyotr Schastlivyi said, "But this is only a start, so we must maintain this level."

In other matches, Finland crushed Ukraine 5-0 with Timo Parssinen leading with a pair while Pekka Saravo, Sean Bergenheim and defenseman Petteri Nummelin added a goal each.

Six US players found the net to put the United States 6-2 ahead of Austria in the opening game of the 16-team tournament in the town of Mytishchi, just north of the capital.

Phil Kessel, Tobias Petersen, Lee Stempniak, Christopher Clark, Erik Cole and Brandon Bochenski scored for the Americans, aiming to win the gold for the first time in 47 years.

Raimund Divis and Oliver Setzinge replied for Austria, who backed to the elite echelon after a year's absence.

In another Group B game, Tomas Plekanec scored twice to pace the Czechs, who have won five world titles in the last 11 years, for an 8-2 win over Belarus who only found the net twice, all by captain Oleg Antonenko.

On Saturday, Sweden open their campaign against Italy, while 2003 and 2004 winners Canada, grouped with Slovakia, Germany and Norway, meet the Germans.

(Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2007)