Malkin's hat-trick dethrones Finland in world hockey

NHL scoring champion Yevgeni Malkin scored a hat-trick in the world championship semi-final to put Russia into the title-decider and dethrone defending champions Finland following a 6-2 win here on Saturday. Washington Capitals sharpshooter Alexander Ovechkin was also on target, while goaltender Semyon Varlamov produced 29 saves to earn Russia sweet revenge for a 3-0 defeat in the last-year's semi-final. Championship co-hosts Finland and Russia appeared evenly matched on the ice of the 13,300-seat Hartwall arena, trading attacks from the opening face-off. The Finns claimed a 1-0 lead through defender Janne Niskala, who beat Russian 'keeper Varlamov with a slap shot from the blue line via the help of a slight deflection, 7:28 into the match. Russia, who had won all eight of their previous matches at the event, replied in positive fashion as they pinned the hosts back, pulling level 15:33 into the first period when Malkin sent home a rebound from close range through traffic. Aided by a powerplay Malkin then put Russia 2-1 up with less than a minute remaining in the opening period as his wrist shot from point-blank range went between Finland 'keeper Petri Vehanen's pads. Ovechkin netted Russia's third halfway into the second period, wristing the puck into the top left-hand corner from the left face-off circle. Malkin completed his hat-trick on another powerplay, firing the puck into the net with a venomous slap shot with 2:14 left before the second interval. Finland, aiming to end the dreaded "home ice curse", which has seen the host nation fail to win the competition since the Soviets in 1986, made a valiant effort to mount a comeback in the third session but Denis Kokarev's goal all but extinguished their hopes. CSKA Moscow forward Sergei Shirokov made it 6-1 for Russia, scoring 8:41 into the thrid on another powerplay, before Mikael Granlund netted Finland's second goal to sweeten a bitter pill for the hosts with four minutes to go. Russia will face either the Czech Republic or Slovakia in Sunday's final.