STOCKHOLM – Petr Nedved’s third period marker helped produce a Czech Republic win, further solidifying his team’s goal of moving into the quarterfinals of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. The Czech Republic earned a 3-1 win over a rugged and competitive Latvian side that battled them throughout. For 50:50, Latvia and the Czech Republic were at a stalemate until Nedved seized the opportunity and change the course of the game. Click here for a video with post-game comments. "I think we played better as a team than in the last couple of games," said Ales Hemsky. "We played better in the neutral zone and moved the puck a little better. But they played well too." Nedved took a long pass from and shook defender Kristaps Sotnieks, skated in alone on a break and scored forehand high on Edgars Masalskis. Latvia and the Czech Republic were even most of the evening until Petr Nedved scored at 9:10 of the third period to give the Czech Republic the lead and the win. With the win, the Czech Republic moved to third in their group with 8 points, just behind Sweden and Russia who have 12 apiece. In six previous contests since 2000, Latvia has not beaten the Czech Republic, managing only a tie when they hosted the World Championship in 2006 in Riga. But this was a game that featured good scoring chances by both teams and quality goaltending. "Teams like these have good players," said Hemsky. "They play a solid system, and everybody’s doing what the coach tells them. It’s always a tight game. It’s never an easy game here anymore." As they have in their first three games of the tournament, Latvia scored the first goal of the game. Armands Berzins scored off a pass from Ronalds Kenins at 3:55 of the second period. For Berzins it was his first goal of the World Championship; for Kenins it was his third point in as many games since being inserted into the lineup for game two against Germany. The Czech Republic equalized the score 5:03 later when Milan Michalek converted a rebound to tie it 1-1. Jakub Nakladal sent the puck on goal that was saved by Masalskis. But Michalek picked up the biscuit and went backhand forehand and then in the net past the outstretched Masalskis. The goal was Michalek’s first of the World Championship and came as both teams played four on four hockey. Guntis Galvins and Petr Prucha were both given roughing penalties at 7:36. Latvia came into this game with the fourth best player play percentage in the tournament at 31% but could not capitalize on the man advantage they were given throughout the game. For the 40-year-old Nedved, it was his first goal in four games. "It was a nice breakaway and he’s a great player," said Hemsky of Nedved. "You can see his patience. He’s played for a long time, so he knows what to do." Tomas Plekanec added a power play goal at 13:22 to seal the win. For Latvia it was a solid effort. They now sit fourth in their group with six points and Norway on their heels with four. Their next game on Saturday is against Norway. "In the last couple of games, we didn’t play a full 60 minutes," said Oskars Bartulis. "Today it was a big thing for us to play a full game. Everyone competed as a team, and we blocked a lot of shots. We played a physical game. It was a good game, even though we lost. Now we have to focus on the next game, because it’s big for us." JOHN SANFUL