SOCHI, Russia — Roman Cervenka scored for a second time late in the second period to set up a four-goal lead and the Czech Republic went on to beat Slovakia 5-3 Tuesday, advancing to an Olympic quarterfinal match against the United States.
The Slovaks pulled within a goal in the third period, but their setback was sealed when Andrej Meszaros was called for slashing with 53 seconds left. They pulled their goaltender to create an even-strength situation and Tomas Plekanec scored an empty-net goal 14 seconds later for the Czechs.
That ensured the Czechs, who opened the Sochi Olympics tournament with 4-2 loss to Sweden, beat Latvia by the same score and lost 1-0 to Switzerland in the preliminary round, will take on the US team on Wednesday for a spot in the semifinals.
Ondrej Pavelec, who stopped 29 shots, didn’t give up a goal until Slovakia’s Marian Hossa scored with 1:03 left in the second period.
Hossa scored again, off a rebound, midway through the final period. Tomas Surovy’s slap shot made the final 11-plus minutes intense in the elimination game until their costly penalty.
The rivals used to be a part one nation until 1993 when Czechoslovakia split into two countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Jaromir Jagr and goaltender Dominik Hasek helped the Czechs win gold in 1998, the first Olympics with NHL players, and bronze in 2006.
While Hasek has retired, the 42-year-old Jagr is still skating, shooting and setting up teammates.
The five-time Olympian assisted on Cervenka’s first goal midway through the first period, putting the puck on his tape with a centering pass in front of the net.
Jagr has been around long enough that he played for Czechoslovakia at the 1991 Canada Cup — when he was 19 — after helping the Pittsburgh Penguins win the first of two straight NHL titles.
Ales Hemsky had a goal 6:53 into the game, Cervenka scored 29 seconds later and David Krejci gave them ahead 3-0 lead late in the first period.
Slovakia goaltender Ian Laco, a Kontinental Hockey League backup starting ahead of St. Louis Blues standout Jaroslav Halak, gave up three goals on the first 13 shots he faced and finished with 24 saves.
The winless Slovaks, who finished fourth and fifth at the last two Olympics, were perhaps the most disappointing team in the 12-team tournament.
Latvia a surprise opponent for Canada
Oskars Bartulis and Lauris Darzins scored in the first period, and Latvia reached the Olympic men’s hockey quarterfinals for the first time with a 3-1 victory over Switzerland.
Latvia and its Canadian coach, Buffalo’s Ted Nolan, advanced to face defending champion Canada in the quarterfinals on Wednesday night.
Edgars Masalskis made 32 saves and Darzins added an empty-net goal in the surprising Latvians’ first Olympic victory since 2002, when they returned to the games after a 66-year absence. Latvia went winless in preliminary-round play in Sochi, losing 1-0 to the Swiss in its opener.
Martin Pluss scored and Jonas Hiller stopped 19 shots for the Swiss, who are out despite allowing just four goals in four games. Switzerland managed just three Olympic goals of its own.
Latvia has only one NHL player, Buffalo forward Zemgus Girgensons, along with 41-year-old defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh as its captain. But its team effort shut down a Swiss lineup with nine NHL players.