ESPN Hockey

BERN, Switzerland -- The United States got a surprisingly tough test before emerging with a 4-2 victory over Latvia in their opening game of the ice hockey world championship on Saturday.

Latvia led twice as the U.S. struggled to jell five days after landing in Europe.

"You want to face a little bit of adversity and test your character somewhat," U.S. coach Ron Wilson said. "I don't know this team very well and you are just trying to build a little chemistry."

On a day of big wins, Sweden beat Austria 7-1 in the Americans' Group C. In Group D at Zurich, Finland routed Norway 5-0 and Jaromir Jagr scored in the Czech Republic's 5-0 victory over Denmark.

The U.S. got two goals from Jack Johnson and one each from Drew Stafford and Patrick O'Sullivan while outshooting the Latvians 38-20.

"We got better as the game went on," Wilson said. "I think we were a little nervous at the beginning and had trouble finding a rhythm. Right now we don't have to be great in the first couple of games."

The 16-team tournament starts out with two stages of round-robin group play, before an eight-team playoffs.

Latvia took an early lead on a first-period power play after Johnson was called for interference, with Herberts Vasiljevs scoring after taking a pass across the crease.

Johnson made up for his error by equalizing at 11:15.

Martins Karsums restored Latvia's lead in the second period on a pass from behind the net, however the U.S. scored twice in five minutes to take the lead for good.

Stafford's shot from a tight angle on the right squeezed inside the near post, and Johnson emerged from behind the net to slip his shot across goalie Edgars Masalskis. O'Sullivan scored in the third, collecting the rebound of Ron Hainsey's shot.

"They know in every situation what to do," Latvia captain Karlis Skrastins said. "They had more speed, more power and were controlling the puck. If you play against that an hour long you are getting more tired."

The U.S. next plays on Monday against Austria, which was hit hard and early by Olympic champion Sweden.

Goals from captain Kenny Jonsson, Magnus Johansson and Marcus Nilson had the Swedes leading 3-0 within 13 minutes.

Defenseman Martin Oraze scored for Austria in the second period.

Mattias Weinhandl scored twice in the third period for Sweden, and Johan Harju and Loui Eriksson added a goal apiece.

Jagr added two assists in his first international appearance for the Czechs since the 2006 Turin Olympics.

The former NHL star, now playing in Russia, netted the last of four power-play goals as the Czechs handed Denmark a five-goal defeat. Jaroslav Hinka, Jan Marek, Petr Cajanek and Ales Hemsky also scored.

Earlier, Finland had three power-play goals in the first period -- by Antti Miettinen, Jarkko Immonen and Niko Kapanen -- to put Norway away early.

Mika Pyorala and Mikko Lehtonen added insurance goals, while goaltender Pekka Rinne made 30 saves for the shutout.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press