Ukraine's Women's Hockey Team Triumphs Again
Ukraine's women's national ice hockey team has secured its second consecutive win at the 2026 IIHF World Championship Division II, Group B, decisively defeating New Zealand with a score of 8-2. This victory in the tournament's second round solidifies a strong start for the Ukrainian squad. The team is competing in a crucial qualifying tier, where every win is vital for promotion prospects.
Match Breakdown and Final Score
The final score of the New Zealand vs. Ukraine match was 2:8, with period scores of 1:3, 0:5, and 1:0. Polina Telegina opened the scoring for Ukraine at 09:19 in the first period, followed by goals from Valeria Manchuk at 12:02 and another from Telegina at 14:50.
Ukraine continued its dominance in the second period, netting five more goals:
- Polina Telegina at 20:24
- Daria Tsymyrenko at 23:59
- Ilona Kipria at 24:09
- Valeria Manchuk, who scored twice – at 25:51 and 39:50
New Zealand managed only two goals in response: the first from Horner-Pascoe at 11:56 in the first period, and the second from Nelson at 52:28 in the third period. Goaltender Anna Kharkivska defended Ukraine's net in the final period.
In the championship's first round, Ukraine also claimed victory, beating Mexico 4-2. In that match, Liskovych scored first for Ukraine at 01:42, followed by Skorokhod at 19:59, Vedmedenko at 28:56, and Skorokhod again at 41:08. Mexico's two goals came from Rojas J. at 30:18 and 59:04.
The Ukrainian women's national team's next match is scheduled against Belgium on April 2, 2026, at 11:00 Kyiv time. These results demonstrate a powerful performance from the Ukrainian team and signal their readiness for the challenges ahead in the global competition.
This victory underscores the growth and development of women's hockey in Ukraine, which could help attract new players and sustain interest in the sport domestically.
Confident performances on the international stage may also benefit individual athletes, opening doors to opportunities in more competitive leagues outside the country.
As the Ukrainian women's hockey team continues to showcase its prowess on the international stage, the success of other national teams, such as the men's futsal squad, highlights the growing strength of Ukrainian sports. Recently, the futsal team achieved a remarkable victory over Slovakia, further emphasizing the nation's determination and talent across various disciplines. This momentum sets an exciting tone for upcoming matches as the teams strive for excellence.