photo: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION
Vadim Kravchenko was the undisputed king of the ice in Hong Kong.
The forward delivered a tournament for the ages, scoring a remarkable 19 goals to lead Uzbekistan to gold at the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship Division III, Group B.
With the championship victory, Uzbekistan secures promotion to the 2027 IIHF Men’s World Championship Division III, Group A, capping off one of the most dominant performances seen at this level.
Uzbekistan overwhelmed opponents from start to finish, scoring 97 goals in five games while allowing only 11. Their first three outings were outright showcases of firepower, each featuring 20-plus goals and airtight defensive play.
Seven of Uzbekistan’s skaters finished inside the tournament’s top 10 in scoring, and goaltender Daniel Muratov backstopped all five wins with an 87.34 save percentage and 2.40 goals against average.
Kravchenko’s brilliance earned him the honour of the tournament’s Top Forward, finishing with 35 points (19G, 16A).
The gold medal game against hosts Hong Kong proved to be Uzbekistan’s toughest test.
It took just 48 seconds for Kravchenko to make his mark, ripping a wrist shot past goaltender Long Kiu Rexton Chui. He doubled the lead at 4:24, and completed his hat trick off a clean faceoff win with 4:51 left in the opening period.
Before the frame ended, Ilya Nazarevich buried a rebound to make it 4–0.
The second period brought more of the same. Egor Dorofeev finished a crisp passing play from Kravchenko, while Hong Kong responded with a breakaway goal from Chung Pan Justin Cheng, his first of the night.
A centering attempt from Timur Khabibov deflected off a defender’s stick and in, followed by Jasurbek Rustamkonov capitalizing on a loose puck to extend the lead. Kravchenko added another top shelf marker late in the period.
Hong Kong switched goaltenders for the third, and Bryan Tang tapped in a goal at 5:37. Uzbekistan answered with a five-player passing sequence, finished again by Kravchenko.
A major penalty to Uzbekistan gave Hong Kong life, and Tang struck again with 4:45 remaining. Yin Lok Lokel Wong added one more with 1:39 left, giving Hong Kong the distinction of scoring the most goals against Uzbekistan all tournament.
The forward delivered a tournament for the ages, scoring a remarkable 19 goals to lead Uzbekistan to gold at the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship Division III, Group B.
With the championship victory, Uzbekistan secures promotion to the 2027 IIHF Men’s World Championship Division III, Group A, capping off one of the most dominant performances seen at this level.
Uzbekistan overwhelmed opponents from start to finish, scoring 97 goals in five games while allowing only 11. Their first three outings were outright showcases of firepower, each featuring 20-plus goals and airtight defensive play.
Seven of Uzbekistan’s skaters finished inside the tournament’s top 10 in scoring, and goaltender Daniel Muratov backstopped all five wins with an 87.34 save percentage and 2.40 goals against average.
Kravchenko’s brilliance earned him the honour of the tournament’s Top Forward, finishing with 35 points (19G, 16A).
The gold medal game against hosts Hong Kong proved to be Uzbekistan’s toughest test.
It took just 48 seconds for Kravchenko to make his mark, ripping a wrist shot past goaltender Long Kiu Rexton Chui. He doubled the lead at 4:24, and completed his hat trick off a clean faceoff win with 4:51 left in the opening period.
Before the frame ended, Ilya Nazarevich buried a rebound to make it 4–0.
The second period brought more of the same. Egor Dorofeev finished a crisp passing play from Kravchenko, while Hong Kong responded with a breakaway goal from Chung Pan Justin Cheng, his first of the night.
A centering attempt from Timur Khabibov deflected off a defender’s stick and in, followed by Jasurbek Rustamkonov capitalizing on a loose puck to extend the lead. Kravchenko added another top shelf marker late in the period.
Hong Kong switched goaltenders for the third, and Bryan Tang tapped in a goal at 5:37. Uzbekistan answered with a five-player passing sequence, finished again by Kravchenko.
A major penalty to Uzbekistan gave Hong Kong life, and Tang struck again with 4:45 remaining. Yin Lok Lokel Wong added one more with 1:39 left, giving Hong Kong the distinction of scoring the most goals against Uzbekistan all tournament.
photo: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION
Silver and Bronze Decided in a Early Week Thriller
Earlier in the week, DPR Korea and Hong Kong battled in one of the tournament’s most dramatic games which would determine the remaining medals.
Hong Kong jumped out early with goals from Bryan Tang and Ching Yu Wang. DPR Korea responded through Kwang Song Ho, redirecting a point shot to cut the deficit.
Midway through the second, DPR Korea equalized when Il Choi Kim jammed in a wraparound attempt. Minutes later, Kwang Il Kim gave DPR Korea their first lead.
Early in the third, Jong Jo Pak added insurance with a smooth finish between the pads. Hong Kong pushed late, scoring with 19 seconds left through Wai Sum Wong, but DPR Korea held on for the win.
DPR Korea took home the silver medal while Hong Kong earned bronze.
Chui was named the tournament’s Top Goaltender while Mongolia’s Batu Batorovich was selected as the Top Defender.
Final Standings:
1. Uzbekistan – 15 points [promoted to 2027 IIHF Men’s World Championship, Division III, Group A]
2. DPR Korea – 12 points
3. Hong Kong – 9 points
4. Luxembourg – 6 points
5. Mongolia – 3 points
6. Philippines – 0 points
Game Results:
13 April: UZB 26-1 MGL, PRK 8-2 PHI, HKG 7-1 LUX
14 April: PHI 3-28 UZB, LUX 7-5 MGL, PRK 4-3 HKG
16 April: PRK 3-20 UZB, LUX 4-2 PHI, HKG 11-2MGL
17 April: UZB 14-0 LUX, MGL 6-8 PRK, PHI 4-10 HKG
19 April: MGL 13-4 PHI, LUX 1-5 PRK, HKG 4-9 UZB
Earlier in the week, DPR Korea and Hong Kong battled in one of the tournament’s most dramatic games which would determine the remaining medals.
Hong Kong jumped out early with goals from Bryan Tang and Ching Yu Wang. DPR Korea responded through Kwang Song Ho, redirecting a point shot to cut the deficit.
Midway through the second, DPR Korea equalized when Il Choi Kim jammed in a wraparound attempt. Minutes later, Kwang Il Kim gave DPR Korea their first lead.
Early in the third, Jong Jo Pak added insurance with a smooth finish between the pads. Hong Kong pushed late, scoring with 19 seconds left through Wai Sum Wong, but DPR Korea held on for the win.
DPR Korea took home the silver medal while Hong Kong earned bronze.
Chui was named the tournament’s Top Goaltender while Mongolia’s Batu Batorovich was selected as the Top Defender.
Final Standings:
1. Uzbekistan – 15 points [promoted to 2027 IIHF Men’s World Championship, Division III, Group A]
2. DPR Korea – 12 points
3. Hong Kong – 9 points
4. Luxembourg – 6 points
5. Mongolia – 3 points
6. Philippines – 0 points
Game Results:
13 April: UZB 26-1 MGL, PRK 8-2 PHI, HKG 7-1 LUX
14 April: PHI 3-28 UZB, LUX 7-5 MGL, PRK 4-3 HKG
16 April: PRK 3-20 UZB, LUX 4-2 PHI, HKG 11-2MGL
17 April: UZB 14-0 LUX, MGL 6-8 PRK, PHI 4-10 HKG
19 April: MGL 13-4 PHI, LUX 1-5 PRK, HKG 4-9 UZB