Host Russia seeking revenge on home ice

The sport's top 16 nations face off in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships starting on Friday in Russia, with the host seeking revenge on Canada for a trouncing in last year's final.

Along with the defending champion, Russia is one of the favorites as it pursues its first title on home ice since 1986.

Head coach Oleg Znarok, who led the Russians to gold two year ago in Minsk, is relying heavily on Columbus Blue Jackets' Sergei Bobrovsly, his country's only winner of the Vezina Trophy, given annually to the NHL's goaltender.