Zurich, Switzerland (My Sportsbook) - Steven Stamkos potted a pair of goals with an assist and Martin St. Louis added a score and a helper as Canada downed the Czech Republic, 5-1, in Group F play at the 2009 World Hockey Championship.

Shea Weber and Dany Heatley also tallied for the Canadians, who play Norway on Sunday. Chris Mason stood tall in goal, stopping 44-of-45 shots.

Ales Hemsky provided the only offense for the Czechs, who take on neighbor Slovakia on Saturday. Starter Jakub Stepanek was torched for three goals on seven shots in 17 minutes. Martin Prusek finished the game allowing a pair of scores on 17 shots.

Canada pumped home three power-play goals, two by Stamkos and one from Weber, in less than 10 minutes in the first period and Mason held strong for the remainder of the contest.

In Group E at Bern, Latvia tripped Switzerland, 2-1, as Aleksandrs Nizivijs scored the game-winner in the shootout.

Martins Cipulis notched the other goal for Latvia, which takes on France on Saturday.

Andres Ambuhl tied the game with 1:31 left in the third period for the Swiss, who have a date against Sweden on Sunday.

In earlier games, Dmitri Kalinin scored two goals, including the game- winner with 56 seconds left in overtime, as Russia edged Sweden, 6-5, in Group E action.

Ilya Bryzgalov made 33 saves on 38 shots for the Russians, who will face the United States on Saturday. Kristian Huselius posted two goals and an assist for Sweden, who plays Switzerland on Sunday.

Group F at Zurich saw Ruslan Salei score with 25 seconds remaining in overtime to lift Belarus past Norway, 3-2. Belarus squares off against Finland on Saturday.