| In dramatic fashion, the Czechs have returned to the top of the hockey world. On Sunday night, they ended a 27-game Russian win streak at the IIHF World Championship, holding on for a 2-1 gold medal victory, and claimed the crown for the first time in five years. Few imagined this could happen earlier in the tournament, after the Czechs lost to nations like Norway and Switzerland in round-robin play. But now it's golden reality for head coach Vladimir Ruzicka and his crew of unheralded skaters. Meanwhile, Russian coach Vyacheslav Bykov's hopes of winning a third straight world title have turned to dust. The Czechs will open defence of their world crown next April at the 2011 IIHF World Championship in neighbouring Slovakia (Bratislava and Kosice). read more here www.iihf.com
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