Finland shut out Latvia 5-0 in each team’s second appearance May 7 during the preliminary round of the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship underway in Rīga.

The two teams stayed scoreless through the first period, with the Finns recording 11 shots on goal to Latvia’s eight, according to a game summary posted on the official championship Web site, www.ihwc.net.

But then the Finnish team came on stronger, scoring twice in the second period. The first goal came 4 minutes 32 seconds into the period, when Jari Viuhkola scored on a power play with help from Jukka Hentunen and Mikko Lehtonen. Tomi Kallio got Finland’s second point 15:02 into the period.

Latvia’s fortunes didn’t change in the third period, as the Finns kept up their attack. Ville Peltonen, assisted by Petteri Nummelin, scored on a power play 8:38 into the period. Then, 11:51 into the period, a pass bounced off the skate of Aki-Petteri Berg and into the goal. The assists on the power play went to Nummelin and Jussi Jokinen. The Finns weren’t quite finished, however, and 15:10 into the period Jani Rita, assisted by Esa Pirnes, added the fifth goal.

Latvia’s goalkeeper Sergejs Naumovs took on 41 shots on goal, stopping 36. Finland’s Antero Niittymaki had an easier time, stopping all 19 of Latvia’s shots on goal.

The Finns also spent more time in the penalty box, recording 47 minutes compared to Latvia’s 20. More than half of Finland’s penalty minutes belonged to forward Tuomo Ruutu.

Latvia’s next game is against Slovenia on May 9. The hometown team will have to at least tie Slovenia to advance to the qualification round.

Latvia’s national team tied the Czech Republic 1-1 in their first game as the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Championship got underway May 5 in Rīga.

Sixteen teams are vying for the title that is scheduled to be decided May 21.

Latvia’s Aleksejs Širokovs scored the first goal of the game 6 minutes 22 seconds into the first period, according to a game summary posted on the official championship Web site, www.ihwc.net. The Czech Republic’s David Yborny scored the tying goal 19:32 into the game.

The Czech team kept Latvia’s goaltender, Sergejs Naumovs, busy throughout, recording 32 shots on goal. Latvia managed just 12 shots on goal against the Czech Republic’s Milan Hnilicka.

Latvia, the Czech Republic, Finland and Slovenia are competing in the Group A preliminary round. Latvia faces Finland in a game scheduled May 7, and goes up against Slovenia on May 9.

The top three teams in each of four prelimary rounds will advance to the qualification round, according to World Championship rules. Two groups of six teams each will compete in the qualification round, with the top four in each advancing to the quarter-finals.

Ten of thousands of Latvians jammed the Daugava River shoreline in downtown Rīga on a sunny and warm spring evening to listen to a free rock music concert May 4 commemorating Latvia’s 1990 declaration of renewed Independence.

Many popular groups were included in the show’s lineup, which also served as a warmup to the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Championship, scheduled May 5-21 in Rīga.

Latvia on May 4, 1990, declared its renewed independence from the Soviet Union.

New groups such as Z-scars, Astro’n’aut and Melo-M were among the evening’s first groups to perform during the show on 11.novembra krastmala. Later on in the evening prominent groups performed including Pērkons, Menuets, Bet Bet, Jumprava and Lādezers.

Many hit songs performed during the evening were sung in unison by the energetic crowd. Autobuss debesīs closed the concert portion of the show, which ended with a spectacular fireworks show.

The crowd also was treated to scenes from Latvian hockey’s greatest moments on giant television screens as well a a taped good luck message to the Latvian hockey team from Latvian President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga. —Raitis Freimanis in Rīga