Since Ukraine was relegated from the top division in 2007 it had lost both games against Hungary. It was key games as Ukraine missed promotion in 2008 due to a 4-2 loss in the “final” against Hungary and in 2012 a defeat against this opponent led Ukraine down to Division I Group B.

This year’s Ukrainian team seems to be ready for more. Like against Austria it showed it can play at this level and against Hungary the blue-and-yellow team created more offensive action than their opponent may have expected.

“It feels pretty good. It’s a good thing we beat them without conceding a goal,” said Oleg Tymchenko and praised goalkeeper Sergi Gaiduchenko.

“We played very well, had a couple of lucky bounces and capitalized on our chances,” Ukraine coach Andrei Nazarov said.

Ukraine capitalized on its first power play at 4:57 to put itself on the scoreboard.

Russian-born forward Yevgen Belukhin, who plays his first tournament after earning Ukrainian citizenship, scored after pass to the crease from behind the net from Andri Mikhnov, who won a tough battle at the end boards with Bence Sziranyi.

Oleg Tymchenko almost scored another goal on a loose puck around the 12-minute mark in the opening frame but despite a heavy 17-3 shot advantage for Ukraine the period ended with a 1-0 lead.

In the second period the Ukrainians were rewarded for their strong offensive work and Oleg Shafarenko made use of a rebound after several players were shooting from a close range in front of Zoltan Hetenyi during a 5-on-3 while Tamas Pozsgai and Istvan Sofron had to serve penalties.