Heatley, Canada cruise past Latvia

Dany Heatley had a goal and three assists to lead Canada to a 7-0 win over Latvia in a preliminary round game of the world championships on Sunday.

Heatley moved past Steve Yzerman as Canada´s top career scorer at this event in the modern era. He has 40 points in 36 world championship games, which puts him one ahead of his team´s GM.

Rick Nash added two goals while Patrick Sharp, Martin St. Louis and Chris Kunitz also scored for Canada.

Goaltender Pascal Leclaire stopped all 29 shots he faced during his first start of the tournament.

Sharp got things going quickly when he picked up a rebound and beat goalie Edgars Masalskis 2:35 into the game. He scored 36 goals for the Chicago Blackhawks this season, but is part of the fourth line for Canada.

Nash, St. Louis and Kunitz scored in a span of 2:42 to start the second period, prompting Latvian coach Olegs Znaroks to call a timeout and replace Masalskis in goal with Sergejs Naumovs.

In the other Group B game, the United States faced Slovenia.

In a Group D game in Quebec City, Alexei Morozov scored twice, including the game-winner in overtime, to send Russia past the Czech Republic 5-4 in overtime. Sergei Zinoviev, Konstantin Gorovikov and Konstantin Korneyev had the other goals for Russia (2-0). Patrik Elias scored three power-play goals for the Czech Republic (1-1), which held a 43-27 edge in shots on goal. Alex Kotalik had the other goal.

In the other Group D game, Italy faced Denmark.

The tournament is being played in Canada for the first time.