Photo @ Polski HokejTwo days before the top division of the IIHF women's World Championships drops the puck in Czechia, only four and a half hours east, the IIHF Division IIA women's World Championships will get underway in Bytom, Poland.
The tournament will feature hosts Poland, along with Spain, Mexico, Chinese Taipei, DPR Korea, and Iceland. Poland is the top ranked team in the Division after being relegated from the Division 1B tournament last year.
Poland hopes to win the Division on home ice and begin climbing up again.
"Now we have another challenge ahead of us," said head coach Arkadiusz Sobecki in a translated news release. "We are the favorites, our goal is to triumph in the Bytom tournament, which means promotion to a higher division and the culmination of a successful season."
Earlier this season, Poland defeated Chinese Taipei and Mexico in Olympic qualifying action. DPR Korea earned promotion from Division 2B.
At last year's Division 2A tournament, Kazakhstan earned promotion narrowly defeating Spain. Spain will remain as Poland's top challenger in the group. Poland has the most firepower led by Wiktoria Sikorska.
On April 7 to open the tournament, Spain places Iceland, Mexico faces Poland, and Chinese Taipai takes on DPR Korea. The tournament closes April 13.