photo: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION
Türkiye used stifling team defence and a lethal offensive attack to reel off five consecutive wins at the 2026 IIHF World Men’s Division III Group A Championship.
The Turks allowed just 10 goals in those five wins and scored 28 as they claimed the gold medal and a promotion to the 2027 World Men’s Division II Group B Championship.
The event opened in Cape Town, South Africa on 13 April with Türkiye starting strong with a 6-1 win over Thailand. Sava Voronov turned away 25 of 26 shots in net and six different goal scorers provided the offence for the winners.
Türkiye would post six goals once again in its second game, this one a 6-4 triumph over central Asian country Turkmenistan. Next up for Türkiye was the host South Africans and that game wasn’t close, with the eventual champs claiming an 8-1 win.
Türkiye’s closest game of the tournament came next, as it eked out a 2-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Finally, the Turks would double up Mexico 6-3 to cement the first-place finish.
Ferhat Bakal (six goals, three assists) and Mehmet Karadag (1-7—8) were Türkiye’s top point getters in the tournament. Voronov played all five games in net for the Turks and posted a 0.928 save percentage and 2.00 goals against average.
Türkiye’s powerplay was a big part of its success, as it eclipsed the 30 per cent bar with five goals in 16 chances with the man advantage.
The Turks allowed just 10 goals in those five wins and scored 28 as they claimed the gold medal and a promotion to the 2027 World Men’s Division II Group B Championship.
The event opened in Cape Town, South Africa on 13 April with Türkiye starting strong with a 6-1 win over Thailand. Sava Voronov turned away 25 of 26 shots in net and six different goal scorers provided the offence for the winners.
Türkiye would post six goals once again in its second game, this one a 6-4 triumph over central Asian country Turkmenistan. Next up for Türkiye was the host South Africans and that game wasn’t close, with the eventual champs claiming an 8-1 win.
Türkiye’s closest game of the tournament came next, as it eked out a 2-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Finally, the Turks would double up Mexico 6-3 to cement the first-place finish.
Ferhat Bakal (six goals, three assists) and Mehmet Karadag (1-7—8) were Türkiye’s top point getters in the tournament. Voronov played all five games in net for the Turks and posted a 0.928 save percentage and 2.00 goals against average.
Türkiye’s powerplay was a big part of its success, as it eclipsed the 30 per cent bar with five goals in 16 chances with the man advantage.
photo: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION
Other medal winners
Mexico won three games – two in regulation and one in overtime – and also lost one in regulation and one in OT for 9 points and the silver medal. The Mexicans had one more point than Bosnia and Herzegovina, which settled for the bronze medal.
Mexico had a strong offensive attack all week, with Hector Majul and Luis Valencia finishing top two in scoring in the event. Bosnia and Herzegovina was led by Adnan Mlivic and Jakub Silajdzic, who both had eight points and put them in a tie for fourth in tournament scoring.
Players of the tournament
Voronov was named top goalkeeper with his five wins and sizzling save percentage and goals against average. Türkiye’s Yusuf Kars was top defender by posting one goal and five assists and a solid plus-seven rating. And the aforementioned Majul of Mexico – who led the tournament with 13 points (six goals, seven assists) and was plus-10 – was named top forward.
Mexico won three games – two in regulation and one in overtime – and also lost one in regulation and one in OT for 9 points and the silver medal. The Mexicans had one more point than Bosnia and Herzegovina, which settled for the bronze medal.
Mexico had a strong offensive attack all week, with Hector Majul and Luis Valencia finishing top two in scoring in the event. Bosnia and Herzegovina was led by Adnan Mlivic and Jakub Silajdzic, who both had eight points and put them in a tie for fourth in tournament scoring.
Players of the tournament
Voronov was named top goalkeeper with his five wins and sizzling save percentage and goals against average. Türkiye’s Yusuf Kars was top defender by posting one goal and five assists and a solid plus-seven rating. And the aforementioned Majul of Mexico – who led the tournament with 13 points (six goals, seven assists) and was plus-10 – was named top forward.
photo: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION
Final standings:
Game results:
13 April: TUR 6-1 THA; TKM 3-4 BIH; MEX 5-4 RSA (OT)
14 April: TKM 4-6 TUR; BIH 4-3 MEX (OT); THA 7-3 RSA
16 April: THA 2-5 BIH: TKM 4-5 MEX; TUR 8-1 RSA
17 April: MEX 10-2 THA; BIH 1-2 TUR; RSA 5-3 TKM
19 April: TUR 6-3 MEX; THA 6-5 TKM (SO); RSA 4-3 BIH
- Türkiye – 15 points (promoted to 2027 World Men’s Division II Group B Championship)
- Mexico – 9 points
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – 8 points
- South Africa – 7 points
- Thailand – 5 points
- Turkmenistan – 1 point (relegated to 2027 World Men’s Division III Group B Championship)
Game results:
13 April: TUR 6-1 THA; TKM 3-4 BIH; MEX 5-4 RSA (OT)
14 April: TKM 4-6 TUR; BIH 4-3 MEX (OT); THA 7-3 RSA
16 April: THA 2-5 BIH: TKM 4-5 MEX; TUR 8-1 RSA
17 April: MEX 10-2 THA; BIH 1-2 TUR; RSA 5-3 TKM
19 April: TUR 6-3 MEX; THA 6-5 TKM (SO); RSA 4-3 BIH