ZURICH-KLOTEN, Switzerland – Canada has advanced to the quarter-finals at the 2009 IIHF World Championship.

Canada finished the qualification round in 1st place in the Zurich-Kloten pool, and will now face Latvia on May 7 at 4:15 p.m. local / 10:15 a.m. ET. Canada concluded the qualification round portion of the championship on Monday with a 4-3 overtime loss to Finland. By securing one point in the game, Canada assured itself of first place in the group.

Canada will move from Zurich-Kloten to Bern, Switzerland on Tuesday where all the medal round games will take place.

The 2009 IIHF World Championship quarter-final schedule:

Wednesday, May 6

4:15 p.m. local / 10:15 a.m. ET Russia vs. Belarus

8:15 p.m. local / 2:15 p.m. ET Finland vs. USA

Thursday, May 7

4:15 p.m. local / 10:15 a.m. ET Canada vs. Latvia

8:15 p.m. local / 2:15 p.m. ET Sweden vs. Czech Republic

The winner of the Canada/Latvia game will take on the winner of the Sweden/Czech Republic game in one semi-final while the winners of the Russia/Belarus and Finland/USA games will play in the other semi-final. Both semi-finals will be played on Friday, May 8.

Canada’s world championship management group is working closely with Canada’s 2010 Olympic management group, led by executive director Steve Yzerman, in assembling this team and using this as an additional opportunity to prepare for the 2009-10 season, which will include the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

TSN/RDS is broadcasting live across Canada from the IIHF World Championship, including all of Canada’s games. Check your local listings for game times in your area.