Ukraine beat China in battle of leaders at 2024 Hockey World Cup

Ukraine beat China in battle of leaders at 2024 Hockey World Cup (Photo: iihf.com)

The national team of Ukraine in hockey secured a convincing victory over Team China in another match of the World Championship Division IB, according to the match result.

Champion of the World 2024, Division IB, 3rd round

Ukraine – China – 9:0 (4:0, 2:0, 3:0)

Goals: Merezhko, 02:08, 57:46; Peresunko, 09:46, 37:04; Pangelov-Yuldashev, 11:33; Vorona, 13:18; Lyalka, 23:38, 42:11; Deniskin, 51:06

The Ukrainian team quickly opened the scoring. After two rotations of the second hand, Merezhko found himself alone in front of the goalkeeper and tapped in Vorona’s pass from behind the net. Peresunko doubled Ukraine’s advantage halfway through the opening period, converting a breakaway chance against the goalkeeper.

By the end of the first 20 minutes, Dmytro Khrystych’s team scored twice more. First, Pangelov-Yuldashev skillfully placed the puck under the far post from the left throwing zone. Then Vorona capitalized on the rebound after Merezhko’s shot and the goalkeeper’s save.

In the second period, the Ukraine team scored two more times. Lyalka solidified Ukraine’s lead with a skilled shot from the central zone after a pass from Sysak. At the close of the period, Peresunko completed a brace, slotting the puck into an open area of China’s net.

At the start of the final 20 minutes, Lyalka joined him, tipping in Kryvoschapkin’s pass from the left boards. Midway through the period, Deniskin added to China’s woes, scoring on a five-hole play after a scramble in front of the net. Towards the end of the match, Merezhko netted from a sharp angle during 4-on-4 play. Goalkeeper Zakharchenko capped off the victory for the Ukrainians with his second consecutive shutout.

Ukraine’s hockey team at the 2024 World Championship

Earlier, the Ukrainian team secured convincing victories over Estonia (8:0) and the Netherlands (4:0). Khrystych’s team has accumulated 9 points.

The tournament host, Lithuania, will attempt to catch up with Ukraine in the evening. The Baltic team will face the Netherlands (19:30 Kyiv time). Previously, Lithuanian hockey players defeated Spain (3:0) and Estonia (6:1).

Ukraine will play two more matches in the World Championship. On May 1, the “blue-yellow” team will face Spain; on May 3, they will meet Lithuania. Only the winner of the sextet in Division IA will move up from the six-team division.

By the way, earlier, Sokil won the final of the Ukrainian championship against Kremenchuk.