The Americans struck first with a dominant 9-0 victory over France with Cutter Gauthier leading the charge as he netted a hat-trick and got his first assist of the Championship at the Nokia Arena in Tampere.

It was the highest-scoring display from the US since a 9-3 win against South Korea at the 2018 World Championship.

"It was good," Gauthier said after the Group A clash.

"Our coaches preached at the beginning of the game: 'It doesn't matter which opponent we're facing.'

"So that's what we stuck to.

"And I thought we had a good 60."

Switzerland faced tough opposition in the form of Group B's second-placed side the Czech Republic.

The Czechs also went into the match undefeated but a five-minute double from 39-year-old Andres Ambühl in the second period helped to secure a 4-2 win.

The result ensures that Switzerland will finish first and meet the fourth-place team from Group A in the quarter-finals.

"I think we did a lot of good things," said Swiss captain Nino Niederreiter after the Arena Riga fixture.

"We faced some adversity early on, being down again 1-0, but we did a good job playing our game and keeping to our system and we got the win.

"I think today was a good step in the right direction.

"Ambühl is unbelievable.

"It's his 18th World Championship and he goes out there and scores two goals.

"A lot of people dream of playing in just one, so it speaks to what a great career he's had.

"He knows how to win hockey games, and that's why we have him here."

The day's play also saw Germany get the better of Hungary 7-2 in Tampere while Slovakia edged Slovenia 1-0 in Riga.

Competition is set to continue tomorrow as Denmark meet Sweden and Austria play Hungary in Group A while Group B sees Canada and Norway face-off before Kazakhstan take on Slovenia.