Latvia will move on to the qualifying round of the 2006 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship after besting Slovenia 5-1 in a May 9 preliminary game in Rīga.

The victory also assures Latvia it will play in the elite division of the 2007 World Championship in Russia, according to the official championship Web site, www.ihwc.net.

The hometown team fell behind 5 minutes 35 seconds into the first period when Slovenia’s Mitja Sivic, assisted by Luka Zagar, got the puck past Latvia’s goalkeeper Sergejs Naumovs, according to a game summary posted on the Web site.

Going into this final game of the preliminary round, Latvia needed to at least tie Slovenia if it was to advance to the qualifying round. The team made good in the second period, scoring four times.

The first goal came 4:15 into the period, when Aleksandrs Semjonovs scored with help from Aleksandrs Ņiživijs and Miķelis Rēdlihs. The winning point was off the stick of Mārtiņš Cipulis, who scored at 8:20 with an assist from Jānis Sprukts. Aleksandrs Jerofejevs, assisted by Ņiživijs and Leonīds Tambijevs, made it 3-1 on a power play at 9:51 into the period. And then Tambijevs, helped by Ņiživijs, scored at 17:51 to put Latvia on top 4-1.

Latvia added its fifth and final point 10:51 into the third period. Herberts Vasiļjevs scored the goal, assisted by Atvars Tribuncovs and Aleksejs Širokovs.

Naumovs stopped all but one of Slovenia’s 18 shots on goal. Slovenia goalkeeper Robert Kristan faced 29 Latvian shots, stopping 24.

Slovenian players spent 24 minutes in the penalty box, with 12 of those belonging to defenseman David Rodman. Latvia earned 16 minutes of penalty time.

Latvia joins Finland and the Czech Republic in advancing from the Group A preliminary round to the qualifying round, with games scheduled from May 11-16 in Rīga.

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.