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China, Slovakia to vie for promotion at Women's Ice Hockey World Championship

Xinhua, April 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

Hosts China defeated Italy 4-3 on Saturday and will play against Slovakia to strive for a place to promote to the Group A of the IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship DIV 1.

The 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship Division 1 Group B took place this week at the Capital Gymnasium in Beijing. The tournament features China, Slovakia, Hungary, the Netherlands, DPR Korea, and Italy. The winner of the tournament will advance into the Division 1 Group A next year.

"This is our target before the tournament," said Sun Rui, captain of the Chinese team, "After we lost the first game to the Netherlands, it became very difficult to reach that goal. But now, we have a chance, and we will do everything we can to achieve that."

Early on Saturday, Slovakia outclassed Hungary 1-0 to remain unbeaten among six teams.

"Slovakia is the strongest team of the tournament," said Sun. "Before the Championship, we have prepared to play against Slovakia a lot and I think we will win tomorrow."

Ma Rui opened the scoring for China only 52 seconds after the game began, but then Italy came back strongly to make it 2-1 after the second period.

In the third period, Sun Rui leveled the game in 46:34 and Zhang Mengying helped China lead again 3-2 in 48:48. Italy came back again with Eleonora Dalpra's goal from the left side, but only saw China sealed the win with Qi Xueting converted Sun's assistant in to the net in 57.53.

"It is a key goal of all time," said Qi, "If we could not win during the 60 minutes, we will lost the chance to win the tournament. I am so happy to score the goal."

"We will face Slovakia at next game," said Qi. "I think we will win the game, I have the confidence and we have defeated them before."

Slovakia is leading the tournament with a 4-0 win-loss record while China 3-1. Endi