The Ukrainian women's national ice hockey team has kicked off the 2026/27 season with a victory. In the first official match of the new cycle, the team defeated Lithuania in overtime as part of the European Nations Cup. The meeting was intense and evenly matched: both sides exchanged goals in the first two periods, and the outcome was decided only in the additional period, where the Ukrainians demonstrated character and a will to win. According to the source Sport RBC.UA, the final score of the match was 2:1 in favor of Ukraine.
First Period and Regaining Equilibrium
The hosts acted actively throughout the match and were the first to take the lead. Veronika Liskovych opened the scoring in the first period, capitalizing on her team's opportunity and putting the Ukrainian national team ahead. However, in the second twenty-minute period, the Lithuanian players managed to turn the tide of the game: they fought back and restored equilibrium, bringing the meeting back to a draw. Thus, by the start of the third period, the scoreboard read 1:1.
Overtime and the Decisive Goal by Darya Rozhok
In the third period, neither team was able to tip the scales in their favor: both sides were cautious at key moments, and no winner could be determined in regulation time. Therefore, overtime decided the fate of the meeting. In the extra period, Darya Rozhok scored the decisive goal, giving the Ukrainians a 2:1 victory. This goal became the defining moment in the battle for the season's first success.
Significance of the Victory and Further Tournament Schedule
The victory over Lithuania marks the first success for the Ukrainian women's national team in the 2026/27 season and an important starting signal for the team amidst a dense calendar. As part of the European Nations Cup, the Ukrainians are scheduled to play two more matches. On November 6, 2026, the team will face Turkey, and the following day, November 7, they will play against Romania. These matches will allow the coaching staff to assess the squad's depth and form dynamics following the opening success.
Context: Four Ukrainian National Teams in One Day
The general context of the match day deserves special attention: it was previously reported that four Ukrainian hockey national teams were scheduled to play their matches within a single day. This highlights the density of the schedule and the high load on national teams within international competitions. The women's national team's overtime victory against Lithuania fits into this tight schedule and becomes a notable part of it, setting a positive tone for the further performances of Ukrainian teams in the 2026/27 season.
