The Ukraine U18 ice hockey team claimed a decisive 6-3 victory against Poland in their latest match at the World Championship. This win marks a significant turnaround for the team after a challenging start to the tournament.
Ukraine began the championship with a strong performance, defeating Slovenia 4-2. However, they faced setbacks in their subsequent games, losing to Hungary and Kazakhstan in high-scoring matches.
In their latest encounter, Ukraine faced Poland, who also entered the match with one win in three games. The two teams last met in 2022, where Ukraine triumphed with a commanding 6-1 scoreline.
Match Highlights:
- Poland opened the scoring early in the first period, with Stanislav Lewandowski finding the net at the eight-minute mark.
- Just a minute later, Ukraine equalized during a power play, with Denis Zherebko scoring to level the match.
- Midway through the second period, Poland regained the lead thanks to a goal from Antoni Galant during another power play.
- At the start of the third period, Zherebko showcased his skill by scoring again, bringing the game back to a tie.
- In a thrilling finish, Danilo Olifirchuk scored three goals in the latter half of the third period, sealing the victory for Ukraine at 6-3.
The match concluded with the following scoreline: Ukraine 6, Poland 3 (1:1, 0:1, 5:1).
As of now, the standings in Division IA of the U18 World Championship show Switzerland leading with 12 points, followed by Kazakhstan with 9 points. Ukraine sits in third place with 6 points after four matches.
Ukraine’s final match in the tournament is scheduled for Friday, April 24, against Switzerland, starting at 17:00. Unfortunately, the team has already been eliminated from contention for promotion to the elite division of the World Championship.
The Ukraine U18 ice hockey team achieved a 6-3 victory over Poland, bouncing back from earlier losses in the tournament. Despite the win, Ukraine's chances for promotion to the elite division have ended, with one match remaining against Switzerland.