RIGA, LATVIA – Canada scored three goals in the third period to defeat Slovakia 4-1 in the quarter-finals at the 2006 IIHF World Championship. With the win, Canada advances to the semi-finals for the third straight year, and will play versus Sweden on Saturday, May 20th, with the game carried LIVE on TSN/RDS at 1:15pm ET / 10:15am PT.

The game versus Slovakia on Wednesday stayed scoreless through most of the first period, until a Dusan Milo shot deflected past Canadian goaltender Marc Denis (Montreal, QC/ Columbus Blue Jackets) at 17:36. Canada tied the score at 14:35 of the second period, when Mike Cammalleri (Richmond Hill, ON/Los Angeles Kings) pushed a rebound past Slovakian goaltender Karol Krizan.

The third period belonged to Canada, outshooting Slovakia 14-5. Patrice Bergeron (Ancienne-Lorette, QC/Boston Bruins) gave Canada the lead for good at 12:53, sending a quick shot from the slot past Krizan, and taking a 2-1 lead. Less than two minutes later, Bergeron’s linemate Sidney Crosby (Cole Harbour, NS/ Pittsburgh Penguins) lifted a rebound over Krizan and Canada had a two-goal advantage, 3-1. Jeff Carter (London, ON/ Philadelphia Flyers) added an insurance marker nine seconds later, immediately following a Slovakian timeout, giving Canada the 4-1 win. Marc Denis earned another victory, with 22 saves.

Earlier in the day, Sweden advanced to the semi-finals with a 6-0 win over USA, earning the match up in the semi-finals verus Canada on Saturday.

In addition to the Canada vs. Sweden semi-final game on Saturday, TSN/RDS will also broadcast the Russia vs. Czech Republic quarter-final game on Thursday, May 18th at 9:15 am ET/ 6:15pm PT (4:15 pm LOCAL) as well as other semi-final game on May 20th, at 9:15 am ET / 6:15am PT (4:15 pm LOCAL). TSN/RDS will broadcast LIVE both the bronze and gold medal games on Sunday, May 21st.

QUARTER-FINAL SCHEDULE

Thursday, May 18th

RUS (F1) vs. CZE (E4) - 9:15 am (ET)/4:15 pm (LOCAL)- Arena Riga (TSN/RDS)

FIN (E2) vs. BLR (F3) 1:15 pm (ET)/8:15 pm (LOCAL) Arena Riga

SEMI-FINAL SCHEDULE

Saturday, May 20th

RUS/CZE vs. FIN/BLR 9:15 am (ET)/4:15 pm (LOCAL) Arena Riga

CAN vs. SWE - 1:15 pm ET / 10:15am PT (8:15 pm LOCAL) Arena Riga (TSN/RDS)

MEDAL GAME SCHEDULE

Sunday, May 21st

Bronze Medal Game 9:15 am (ET)/4:15 pm (LOCAL) Arena Riga

Gold Medal Game 1:15 pm (ET)/8:15 pm (LOCAL) Arena Riga

THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN CANADA IN 2008

Canada will host the IIHF World Championship for the first time in 2008, in Halifax and Quebec City, marking the 100th anniversary of the IIHF.