Swedes rout Latvia and ensure Finnish place in World Championship quarter-finals

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The Finnish hockey team and its coaches can breathe again. Sweden delivered the goods and gave Latvia a sound thrashing on Tuesday night. Sweden emerged as 9-1 victors from the last Qualifying Group match, and they duly won the group.
      The result also ensured that the Finns' decision to move from Innsbruck to a hotel in Vienna was not misplaced. Had Sweden managed to lose the game with Latvia, the Latvians would have progressed at Finland's expense, and the Finnish squad would be on their way out of the championships and on the plane home.
      Now, however, the tournament starts again afresh, with every match a life-or-death affair. Finland will play Russia in Vienna on Thursday night. The Russians won the other Qualifying Group.
      Thursday's other quarter-final pairings are Czech Republic vs. USA, Canada vs. Slovakia, and Sweden vs. Switzerland. Should the Finns overcome the Russian team, they will meet Canada or Slovakia in the semi-finals on Saturday afternoon.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finns have to watch and wait after 0-0 draw with Latvia (10.5.2005)

Links:
  IIHF World Championships, Austria

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