HRADEC KRALOVE, Czech Republic -- Finland beat France 8-0 and the Czech Republic defeated Belarus 9-1 Friday at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Finland (2-1-0) is in second place in Group B, trailing Canada (2-0-0).

In Group A, in Pardubice, defending champion Czech Republic recorded its first victory of the tournament.

Slovakia (2-0-0) leads the group, with the United States and Sweden both at 1-0-1. The United States plays Belarus on Saturday and Slovakia on Sunday.