=== Blank Czech: Kiprusoff leads Finland to 4-0 win ===

Helsinki, Finland (My Sportsbook) - Miikka Kiprusoff needed to make only 12 saves as Finland shut out the Czech Republic, 4-0, in the opening game of the 2004 World Cup of Hockey at Hartwall Arena.

Finland was ahead 1-0 after two periods of play and put the game out of reach with three goals in the third period.

The Finns opened the scoring 6:33 into the game on Jukka Hentunen's tally. Hentunen was in front of the net and pushed the puck with the end of his stick past Czech netminder Tomas Vokoun. Vokoun ended with 30 saves.

After a scoreless second period, the Finns wasted no time taking a 2-0 lead in the third as Saku Koivu scored just 30 seconds into the stanza. Jere Lehtinen collected a loose puck from behind the net and sent it to Koivu in front. Koivu then backhanded the puck through Vokoun's legs for a two-goal lead.

Niko Kapanen then cashed in a power play with 15:06 remaining in the third, extending the margin to 3-0. Sami Salo was at the point and unleashed a slap shot that Kapanen re-directed past Vokoun.

Mikko Eloranta got into the action for Finland and made it 4-0 at 11:09 of the third period. Kimmo Timonen slapped a shot that Vokoun stopped but Eloranta was able to snap the rebound past the goaltender.

Finland next plays Germany on Thursday while the Czechs meet Sweden on Wednesday.

The Czech Republic is being guided by coach Vladimir Ruzicka. The former Olympic captain replaced Ivan Hlinka, who was killed two weeks ago in an automobile accident.

This tournament has not been held for eight years, when the United States captured the championship at the inaugural World Cup of Hockey event in 1996.