The United States won its first game of the World Bandy Championships on Saturday by defeating Belarus 5-2 in an A Pool qualification match at Trudovye Rezrvy Stadium in Kazan, Russia. The victory assures the Americans a spot in the A Pool in the 2012 tournament in Kazakhstan.
The U.S. scored three second-half goals to claim a win in its final game after losing to Russia 17-0, Kazakhstan 7-2, Finland 13-2, Sweden 8-1 and Norway 7-3. Brendan Bayers and Jon Keseley, both of St. Louis Park, Minn., and Daren Richardson of St. Paul scored second-half goals. Rick Haney, 45, of Duluth was team captain.
