Slovak Women’s Hockey Team Defeats Norway 5-1, Eyes Promotion to Top Division
– In a decisive performance at the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship Division I Group A tournament in Budapest, Slovakia secured a 5-1 victory over Norway, positioning themselves for a potential promotion to the elite division.
The Slovaks, led by a standout performance from forward Nela Lopušanová, controlled the game from the outset, building a 2-0 lead in the first period through goals by Barbora Kapičáková at 18:00 and 20:00. Lopušanová contributed to both tallies, showcasing her playmaking ability early in the contest.
Slovakia extended their advantage in the second period, with Ema Tóthová scoring on the power play at 32:00 and Lopušanová adding her first goal of the game at 33:00. Norway managed to pull one back through Ingrid Sirum at 39:00, but Slovakia responded swiftly as Lopušanová netted her second goal of the match at 45:00, assisted by Kapičáková and Tóthová, to build it 4-1.
The victory leaves Slovakia tied with France at nine points atop the Group A standings, setting up a pivotal showdown between the two teams on April 18, 2026, at 16:00 local time in Budapest for the single promotion spot to the 2027 IIHF Women’s World Championship Top Division.
Lopušanová finished the game with two goals and two assists, emerging as the offensive catalyst for the Slovak side. Her performance was instrumental in the team’s success, as she was involved in four of Slovakia’s five goals.
Slovakia’s victory over Norway followed wins against Switzerland and Hungary earlier in the tournament, demonstrating their consistency and readiness for the challenge posed by France in the final group match.
The team’s defensive unit also played a crucial role, limiting Norway to a single goal while maintaining disciplined play throughout the contest. Slovakia’s penalty kill was particularly effective, successfully defending against all Norwegian power-play opportunities.
As the Slovaks prepare for their decisive match against France, the focus remains on maintaining their high level of execution and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. A victory in that encounter would secure Slovakia’s return to the Top Division after a one-year absence.
The upcoming Slovakia-France clash promises to be a tightly contested affair, with both teams aware that the winner will earn promotion to the elite division for the 2027 IIHF Women’s World Championship.
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