Latvia beat Norway to keep quarter-final hopes alive

By Steve Keating

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (Reuters) - Latvia thumped Norway 4-1 at the ice hockey world championships on Sunday to keep alive their hopes of a place in the quarter-finals.

Facing a must-win situation, Martin Cipulis, Herberts Vasiljevs, Mikelis Redlihs and Lauris Darzins all found the net as the Latvians doubled their offensive production for the entire tournament with the four-goal burst.

Netminder Edgars Masalskis, who was bombarded by 64 shots in Latvia's previous game against Finland, enjoyed a relatively quiet day at the office in comparison handling just 23 chances, surrendering only a first period goal to Lars Erik Spets.

With one game remaining in qualification round play, Norway continue to cling to fourth place in the Group F standings with four points followed by Latvia on three.

Norway plays the U.S. in its final game on Monday while Latvia will face-off against Germany.

The Norwegians can clinch a spot in the final eight with a win over the U.S. but a loss combined with a Latvia win would end their tournament.

(Editing by Miles Evans)