Top of the world: Sunday notes

Grand Rapids came home and did what it had to do. The Griffins won three in a row at home, including Sunday’s 3-1 win over Toronto in Game 5, to take the series and move on to face Rockford. The conference semis begin Wednesday in three of the four series, the exception being Oklahoma City and Utica, starting Thursday.

World Championship wins for Russia, Slovakia (in overtime over Belarus) and Finland in the U.S.’ pool, and Sweden (16 saves on 17 Austrian shots for Anders Nilsson), Switzerland and, ho-hum, 10-0 over Germany, 15 of 20 skaters with a point, Canada

Big one in the morning for the Americans against Russia (10 a.m., NBCSN). Winner has the lead in Pool B. Loser falls back among the pack. (Overtime could play with that.)

And a big win for American hockey: the national team won gold at the Sled Hockey World Championship today in Buffalo. Four shutouts in five games.

Michael Fornabaio