Poland established themselves at the top of Group H with a 6-1 win over Ukraine in the first match of the day at the Barys Arena in the Kazakhstani capital of Nur-Sultan.

The hosts drew level on points with a 7-1 win over round-two qualifiers The Netherlands later in the evening, watched by a home crowd of 2,975, but are in second place having conceded one more goal, albeit that both teams have a goal difference of +13.

Everything is to play for in two days' time.

In each of the three qualifying groups in round three, only the top team will go forward to the final qualification stage.

Each will then join three other teams in three final groups, the winners of which will proceed to Beijing.

The decisive Group H match will follow Sunday’s opener at the Barys Arena between The Netherlands and Ukraine.

Meanwhile in Group G, Japan won the opening match of the day at Podmežakla Hall in Jesenice, beating Lithuania 4-0.

But hosts Slovenia finished the day top of the group on goal difference after beating Croatia 6-0.

There was no play today in the third and last of the qualifying groups, Group J, which is taking place at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, where hosts Britain stand joint-top with Hungary after the opening round of games.

Tomorrow will see Hungary meeting Romania, followed by a match between Britain and Estonia.

Hosts China are already assured of a place in Beijing and will be joined by the top eight teams in the world rankings following last year’s men's IIHF World Championship.

They are, in order, Canada, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, United States, Germany and Switzerland.