Halifax, Nova Scotia -- (Sports Network) - In the first shootout of the tournament, Sergei Mozyakin and Alexei Morozov each scored in the shootout to help Russia to a 4-3 win over Belarus at the 2008 World Hockey Championships.

Russia now sits in first place in Group E while Belarus is on the brink of missing the quarterfinals. Belarus needs to win its next two games while hoping either Sweden or Switzerland fails to gain any more points.

Buffalo's Maxim Afinogenov scored twice while Washington's Alexander Ovechkin scored the other marker for Russia.

Niko Kapanen's goal with 9:16 to play lifted Finland to a 2-1 win over Latvia.

Latvia got a stellar performance from goaltender Edgars Masalskis, who made 62 saves in the game, but has lost all three games in the qualifying round.

The Finns now sit one point behind Canada for the top spot in Group F.

Slovakia cruised to a 5-1 win over Slovenia in the first game of the relegation round playoffs.

Marcel Hossa posted a goal and two assists for Slovakia, while Jan Lasak made 10 saves.

In the other relegation round playoffs, France drew first blood with a 3-2 win over Italy.

The winners of these best-of-three series will qualify for the top level of the World Championship in Switzerland in 2009 while the loser will be relegated to Division I.

Both series resume on Saturday.