Ukraine's national team defeats Lithuania in the decisive match of the World Hockey Championship in Division 1B and moves up in class

Before the match of the 5th round of the World Cup in the third strongest division of the World Cup, the national teams of Ukraine and Lithuania had 12 points each and led the standings. At the World Cup in Lithuania, Ukraine defeated Estonia (8:0), the Netherlands (4:0), China (9:0), and Spain (6:1). Lithuania was stronger than Spain (3:0), Estonia (6:1), the Netherlands (3:2) and China (3:0).

The winner of the Ukraine-Lithuania match advanced to the second strongest division of world hockey.

In Vilnius, the Ukrainian national team was the first to score — in the middle of the first period, Daniil Trakht realized a numerical advantage. In the second period, he made a double and increased the advantage of Dmitri Khristich's team.

Andrei Deniskin made the score even more convincing 6 minutes before the end of the third period.

Lithuania reduced the gap when, two minutes before the siren, they released a sixth field player instead of the goalkeeper — Eimantas Noreika scored. The hosts continued to play without a goalkeeper and eventually got the puck into the empty net —  Alexander Peresunko scored. 

Ukraine defeated Lithuania 4:1 and reached Division 1A of World Hockey, where it will play after a seven-year break.

2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Cup

Division IB

5th round

Lithuania - Ukraine 1:4