Dany Heatley, right, notched four points to help Canada run over Janis Sprukts and his Latvian team on Sunday. (Mike Dembeck/Canadian Press)Dany Heatley notched a goal and three assists to become his country's leading scorer in the modern era of the world hockey championship as Canada demolished Latvia 7-0 Sunday in Halifax.
With the victory, Canada improved to 2-0 in Group B play. The Canadians, who opened with a 5-1 win over Slovenia on Friday, finish their preliminary-round schedule against the United States on Monday (4:30 p.m. ET).
The U.S. skated to a 5-1 win over Slovenia in Halifax Sunday evening to improve to 2-0.
Sunday's four-point effort gave Heatley 40 points in 36 world championship games, putting the Ottawa Senators forward one ahead of Steve Yzerman, now the general manager of the Canadian squad.
Heatley's linemate, Rick Nash added two goals, while Patrick Sharp, Martin St. Louis, Chris Kunitz and Mike Green supplied the rest of the scoring.
Green's goal was of the highlight-reel variety. The Washington Capitals defenceman picked up the puck inside the Latvian zone and beat a defender before sliding it past goaltender Edgars Masalskis while being turned sideways. That made it 2-0 for Canada just 3:45 into the game, and pretty much ensured that it would be a long afternoon for the overmatched Latvians.
Canadian goalie Pascal Leclaire stopped all 29 shots he faced during his first start of the tournament. The Columbus Blue Jacket spent three years in Halifax as a member of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Mooseheads.
Earlier Sunday, Russia defeated the Czech Republic 5-4 in overtime in Quebec City. Alexei Morozov scored twice, including the OT winner, while Sergei Zinoviev, Konstantin Gorovikov and Konstantin Korneyev also scored for Russia (2-0).
Patrik Elias scored three power-play goals, and Ales Kotalik had the other goal for the Czechs (1-1), who held a 43-27 edge in shots on goal.
Also on Sunday, Denmark defeated Italy 6-2 in Quebec City.
With files from the Canadian Press
