Blue-and-white skates to hockey gold in Bulgaria

THE ISRAEL national team celebrates on the ice in Sofia, Bulgaria, after beating Iceland for the gold medal at the IIHF World Championship Division II Group B tournament over the weekend. (photo credit: MAX MILLER)

Israel finished the 2026 IIHF World Championship Division II Group B with a flawless 5-0 record.

When the final siren echoed through the Winter Sports Palace in Sofia on Sunday, the scoreboard read 5-2 in favor of Israel over Iceland. For the casual observer, it was a dominant conclusion to a perfect tournament. For those familiar with the systemic hurdles facing Israeli ice hockey, it was nothing short of a “guerrilla” miracle.

Israel finished the 2026 IIHF World Championship Division II Group B with a flawless 5-0 record. Yet, the most remarkable statistic wasn’t the 26 goals scored, but the fact that the team arrived not as an official national delegation, but as a group of independent athletes. Due to the federation’s ongoing liquidation process and the war, along with bureaucratic refusals from security officials, the team was denied formal approval. Players were forced to fly in individually, often at their own expense, driven by a raw determination to represent their country when official channels had failed them.

While the tournament was played in a round-robin format, the schedule dictated a cinematic finish. The match against Iceland was the final game of the group, essentially serving as a winner-take-all gold medal showdown. Both teams entered the day knowing that the victor would claim the top spot on the podium. The pressure was immense, but the Israeli squad, fueled by a sense of defiance against the administrative chaos back home, played with a clinical edge that the Icelanders simply could not match.

Physical presence and technical wizardry

The offensive output was anchored by a core of players who brought physical presence and technical wizardry to the ice. Standing at a massive 1.90 meters (6-foot-3) and weighing in at 100 kg, forward Kirill Polozov of the Ashdod Chiefs was an immovable force. His ability to shield the puck and create space allowed Israel to establish a dominant cycle game that wore down opposing defenses. Complementing Polozov’s power was the surgical precision of the Malashchanka brothers, also representing the Ashdod Chiefs. Henadz and the younger Kiryl provided the creative spark. The two brothers showcased a telepathic connection on the ice. Their chemistry was evident in the transition game, where their quick lateral movement and vision turned defensive recoveries into high-danger scoring chances.

“Having that kind of technical depth from the Ashdod core allowed us to dictate the pace,” noted team organizers.

ISRAEL'S NATIONAL hockey team hopes to compete at the Division IIA World Championships, though the location of the tournament is still up in the air after Australia backed out of hosting, reportedly due to the blue-and-white's participation. (credit: Senya Alman/Courtesy)

The hero of the decisive clash with Iceland was undoubtedly goaltender Maksim Kaliaev. Kaliaev is a seasoned 28-year-old veteran who, until recently, guarded the net for the Rishon Devils. He has since moved to Czechia, where he is currently seeking a new club to continue his professional career. His maturity and international experience were the team’s insurance policy. In that final clash, Kaliaev stopped 29 of 31 shots against a heavy Icelandic offense.

“The victory belongs to the entire group; the chemistry was incredible,” Kaliaev said following the medal ceremony. “Everyone played with their heart. We wanted to show the world that Israeli hockey belongs in a higher division. We aren’t just waiting for things to happen; we are pushing the game forward.”

The arrival of head coach Evgeni Gusin, who missed the first two games due to travel issues, provided tactical stability. Gusin highlighted the sacrifice of Mike Levin, who played through a severe shoulder injury.

“Mike could barely hold his stick, but he refused to stay off the ice. That spirit defined this tournament.”

Lev Genin, the influential figure who coordinates the team’s logistical efforts and manages the “strings” behind the scenes, believes this victory must lead to structural change. “This gold medal is a wake-up call,” Genin remarked.

“This victory will provide a massive boost to the sport in Israel. It is time to translate this success on the ice into the promotion of infrastructure and the construction of proper rinks. These players proved that even without a home base, they are champions; imagine what they could do with real support.”

Despite the gold medals, a shadow hangs over Israel’s promotion. The Division II Group A tournament, scheduled for Al Ain, UAE, was canceled due to the regional security situation and the ongoing war with Iran. Under IIHF regulations, the cancellation of a higher-tier tournament often freezes promotion.

The Israeli delegation has filed an official appeal to be decided at the IIHF Congress in Switzerland.”

It’s out of our hands now,” Gusin remarked. “But on the ice, there is no question where we belong.”