MOSCOW, RUSSIA – Canada will face Sweden in the 2007 IIHF World Championship semi-final on May 12th after defeating Switzerland 5-1 in a quarterfinal played in Moscow on Thursday. The other semi-final will have Russia taking on Finland. 

In Thursday’s quarterfinal game versus Switzerland, Matthew Lombardi (Montreal, QC/Calgary, NHL) opened the scoring for Canada with the only goal of the first period. Lombardi later added his second of the game and now has scored six goals in seven games. Canada’s other goal scorers were Jamal Mayers (Toronto, ON/St. Louis, NHL), Rick Nash (Brampton, ON/Columbus, NHL) and Shea Weber (Sicamous, BC/Nashville, NHL). Dion Phaneuf (Edmonton, AB/Calgary, NHL) and Eric Staal (Thunder Bay, ON/Carolina, NHL) each had two assists for Canada. Dwayne Roloson (Simcoe, ON/Edmonton, NHL) stopped 21 of 22 shots for the win.

This marks the fifth straight year in which Canada has won its quarterfinal game, and moved onto the semi-final, at the IIHF World Championship. Canada won gold medals in 20, a silver medal in 2005 and finished 4th in 2006.

Semi-final schedule (all times ET)

7:15 a.m.          RUSSIA vs. FINLAND

11:15 a.m.        SWEDEN vs. CANADA                          LIVE ON TSN/RDS

Both medal games will be played the following day, May 13th, with the bronze medal game scheduled for 4:15 a.m. (ET). The winners of the semi-finals will participate in the gold medal game on Sunday, May 13th at 10:15 a.m. (ET).

All of Canada’s games at the World Championship are being broadcast live by TSN/RDS, the official broadcaster of Hockey Canada (check local listings).

NOTE TO MEDIA: Most members of Team Canada will be returning to their hometowns or cities of residence on Monday, May 14th. A flight itinerary for these players will be made available to media on Saturday, May 12th. 

2008 IIHF World Championship in Canada - Canada will be hosting the IIHF World Championship, for the first time ever, in May 2008 in Halifax and Quebec City.