China edges Romania in ice hockey thriller

April 30 – On the second matchday of the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I Group B, China faced top-seeded Romania and clinched their first victory with a dramatic 4–3 golden goal in overtime.

China’s starting lineup: Goalkeeper Tu Yueran (#30), Zhang Pengfei (#8), Yu Jilong (#12), Zhang Jiaqi (#16), Wang Jing (#19), Hou Yuyang (#23).

Romania started aggressively in the first period, but China competed hard, disrupting possession multiple times. Goalkeeper Tu Yueran made precise saves to deny successive attacks. At 8:00, Romania scored on a power play. At 19:11, China countered as Hou Yuyang (#23) delivered a brilliant pass from behind the net, and Wang Jing (#19) lifted a shot home to equalize.

In the second period, China stayed active, applied pressure, and even managed two shorthanded steals, creating constant threats in front of the Romanian net. At 36:46, Zhang Jiaqi (#16) fired a long-range shot from the blue line to put China ahead, and the period ended with China leading 2–1.

The final period was tense. At 46:52, Romania leveled the score at 2–2. Romania quickened their attacking pace, but China remained disciplined and tracked back in time to deny further chances. At 56:56, Huang Yixiang (#22) passed to the slot, and Chen Zimeng (#6) followed up with a timely shot to restore China’s lead. Romania responded at 57:44 to tie the game again.

With the score locked after regulation, the game went to overtime. In OT, Hou Yuyang (#23) carried the puck forward and was slashed from behind, earning a penalty shot. Hou made no mistake, scoring the golden goal to seal a 4–3 victory for China.

China will face the Netherlands on May 2.