Kazakhstan women’s hockey team retains first league status

The 2025 Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship in Dumfries, U.K., ended on a high note for Kazakhstan’s national women’s hockey team. On April 15, in the final game of Group B in Division I, the second-highest tier in international competition, Kazakhstan routed Slovenia 9-1.

Yekaterina Kutsenko opened the scoring in the 13th minute. In the second period, Dariya Moldabay doubled the lead in the 26th minute, setting off a flurry of goals. Between the 34th and 38th minutes, Anna Pyatkova, Pernesh Ashimova, Moldabay and Alexandra Voronova each scored, pushing the lead to 6-0.

In the third period, Anastassia Orazbayeva, Tatyana Koroleva and Kutsenko added three more goals to complete the rout. Slovenia managed only a single consolation goal.

Kazakhstan began the tournament with a 4-2 win over South Korea but then suffered three straight losses — to Italy, Britain and Latvia.

After five rounds, Kazakhstan had six points and held an interim fourth place in the final standings. The outcomes of the Korea-Latvia and Italy-Britain matchups, scheduled for later, could still affect the final rankings. If Korea wins, it could finish with 7 or 8 points, potentially dropping Kazakhstan to fifth place. Otherwise, Kazakhstan will remain fourth in Group B.

Italy secured first place and earned promotion to the top division. Slovenia, having lost all of its games, is relegated to Division II.

Notably, in 2024, Kazakhstan earned promotion from Division II by winning all five of its matches and securing a perfect 15 points.