World champion Russia remained undefeated May 3 as it swamped Latvia 6-1 in the International Ice Hockey Federation tournament underway in Bern, Switzerland. However, Latvia’s hopes of making it to the quarterfinals are still alive.

The much-anticipated game was the final one in the qualifying round for both teams. Latvia, fresh off a 7-1 victory over France on May 2, found itself outgunned against Russia.

Two more games, both slated May 4, remain to be played in Latvia’s qualifying round group. If the U.S. beats Switzerland, and if Sweden triumphs over France, then Latvia will finish fourth out of six teams but will advance to the quarterfinals.

Russia got its first point on a power play at 11:43 into the first period, according to a game summary posted on the IIHF’s Web site, www.iihf.com. Anton Kuryanov, assisted by Sergei Mozyakin, scored against Latvian goalkeeper Edgars Masaļskis.

Russia took 15 shots on goal during the first period, compared to Latvia’s nine.

A minute into the second period, Russia scored again, this time off the stick of Alexei Tereschenko. Teammates Ilya Kovalchuk and Dmitri Kalinin were credited with the assist. Things went from bad to worse for the Latvians. At 3:04 into the period, Oleg Tverdovsky made it 3-0 on a power play. Just 46 seconds later, Kuryanov got his second goal of the game, aided by Alexander Perezhogin.

Latvia finally got on the scoreboard at 16:05 into the second period. After Russia was penalized for having too many skaters on the ice, Latvia took advantage of power play. Herberts Vasiļjevs shot the puck past Russian netminder Alexander Eremenko, making the score 4-1. Guntis Galviņš and Mārtiņš Cipulis helped.

By the end of the second period, Russia had outshot Latvia 31-16.

At 3:38 into the third period, Russia’s Alexander Frolov made the score 5-1. He was assisted by Oleg Tverdovsky and Nikolai Zherdev. A little less than three minutes later, it was Tverdovsky’s turn to get a goal, aided by Sergei Zinoviev and Frolov.

For the game, Russia had 37 shots on goal, compared to Latvia’s 26. The Latvians spent a total of 14 minutes in the penalty box, compared to the Russians’ eight.

After crushing France 7-1, Latvia is set to face Russia in the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Championship in Bern, Switzerland.

The May 2 qualifying round match against France was perhaps one of the easier games Latvia has had in the tournament. The victory also moved Latvia closer to the quarterfinals.

Latvia’s first goal came on a power play at 7 minutes, 29 seconds into the first period, according to a game summary posted on the IIHF’s Web site, www.iihf.com. Aleksandrs Niživijs, assisted by Guntis Galviņš, scored against French goalkeeper Fabrice Lhenry.

The Latvians added two more goals during the second period. Mārtiņš Cipulis, assisted by Niživijs and Herberts Vasiļjevs, scored at 1:19. Lauris Darziņš scored at 3:55, aided by Kristaps Sotnieks and Rodrigo Laviņš.

The scoring continued in the third period. At 6:39, Kārlis Skrastiņš got the puck in the net with help from Mārtiņš Karsums. Less than two minutes later, Aleksandrs Jerofejevs scored with an assist from Aleksejs Širokovs.

The French finally got on the scoreboard at 11:38 into the third period. Luc Tardif scored against Latvian goalkeeper Edgars Masaļskis. Stéphane da Costa was credited with the assist. Although the Latvians were still up 5-1, that did not deter them from continued their attacks on the French net. At 12:24, Ģirts Ankipāns, helped by Vasiļjevs and Karsums, made it 6-1. Just 15 seconds later, Cipulis got the last goal, assisted again by Niživijs and Vasiļjevs.

For the game, Latvia had 38 shots on goal, while France had 28. Latvian players spent six minutes in the penalty box, while French players spent 10.

Latvia’s game against 2008 champion Russia is scheduled for 20:15 hours Swiss time May 3 in the Bern’s PostFinance Arena. After six games in the championship, Latvia has a record of five wins and just one loss. Russia is unbeaten.

A 49-year-old man from Latvia died when the lorry he was driving collided with three houses in Ireland’s County Monaghan, the Garda Press Office has announced.

Igors Korpačovs was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which occurred at about 10:30 a.m. May 1 on Main Street in Emyvale, police said. Emyvale, about 140 kilometers northwest of Dublin, is near the border with Northern Ireland.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported that Korpačovs was driving a milk tanker and may have lost control of the vehicle when a tire burst.

Korpačovs lived in Newtownstewart, County Tyrone. His body was taken to Navan General Hospital, police said.

Two of the houses were seriously damaged, police said, and a 13-year-old boy was at home in one of them. However, he was not hurt.