Japan, Kazakhstan, Italy win at Ice Hockey world championship

Kazakhstan’s players celebrate scoring during the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship 2013 Division I Group A, Japan vs Kazakhstan in Budapest on April 14, 2013. (Getty Images)

Budapest, April 20 (IANS): Japan, Kazakhstan and Italy defeated their respective opponents at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I Group A here.

Japan beat Britain 4-1, Kazakhstan defeated South Korea 4-2, while Italy beat hosts Hungary 2-1 Friday, reports Xinhua.

Italy accumulated 12 points in four games, and has been promoted to the top division while both Kazakhstan and Hungary remain in the race for the top two spots.

Thanks to a win over South Korea, Kazakhstan kept their hopes of returning to the top-16 nations alive, and will be promoted if they beat Italy Saturday. But if the Kazakhs lose the game and Hungary beats Japan, then Hungary will be promoted to the top division.