The Japanese national team defeated Lithuania in the group stage of the IIHF World Championship in Division IA. The match ended with a score of 3:2 in favor of the Japanese team.
The third game day of the 2026 World Ice Hockey Championship started with a match between Ukraine's rivals, Lithuania and Japan.
Suspilne Sport is the official broadcaster of the World Ice Hockey Championship matches in Division IA. Watch live broadcasts of the matches on the Suspilne Sport platforms and local Suspilne channels. Also watch the matches of Ukraine on the Suspilne Sport YouTube channel.
In the first period, Japan took the lead as early as the 8th minute of the match, and at the very beginning of the second period, they converted the majority of the shots and doubled their lead. However, five minutes later, Lithuania also used their advantage and reduced the gap: forward Martynas Grinius scored the puck.
At the 41st second of the third period, Lithuania used its majority on the court for the second time and tied the score at 2:2. The teams took the game to overtime, but Japan scored the winning goal at the 35th second and won 3:2.
World Cup 2026. Division IA. 3rd round
Lithuania — Japan 2:3 OT (0:1, 1:1, 1:0, 0:1)
Japan's victory improves Ukraine's chances of retaining its place in Division IA. Since Ukraine previously beat Lithuania in a head-to-head match, a Lithuanian defeat in this round gives the Ukrainians an advantage: even if they lose all subsequent matches, Ukraine will take a higher place than Lithuania in the event of a tie on points due to the head-to-head result.
Standings. Division IA
- Kazakhstan — 6 points (2 matches), 10:1 (goal difference)
- France — 5 points (2), 7:5
- Poland — 4 (2), 5:5
- Ukraine — 3 (2), 4:4
- Japan — 2 (3), 6:12
- Lithuania — 1 (3), 4:9
Lithuania's next opponent will be France, while Japan will play Poland, the host of the 2026 World Ice Hockey Championship, in the fourth round. Both matches will take place on Thursday, May 7.