AKIPRESS.COM - The Czech Republic overcame a stellar performance from Kazakhstan goaltender Vitali Kolesnik to secure a 3-1 win at the ice hockey world championships on Friday and tighten their grip on first place in Group A, reports SBS.

Kolesnik turned aside 33 of 35 shots but it was not enough to stop the Czech Republic that are undefeated through five games and moved five points up on Russia.

Tomas Plekanec scored early in the first and third periods for the Czech Republic but Kazakhstan gave themselves some hope when Nigel Dawes scored with less than five minutes to play in regulation.

But with Kolesnik pulled from the goal in favor of an extra attacker, Robert Kousal sealed the win when he scored into the empty net with 69 seconds left.

Up next for the Czech Republic is a game against Denmark on Sunday while Kazakhstan face Latvia on Saturday.