HL Anyang has won six straight games to remain in second place in the Asia League Ice Hockey despite a string of injuries to key players.
HL Anyang, led by head coach Paik Ji-sun, won 6-3 and 5-2 against the Yokohama Griz in the first two games of their 2023-2024 Asia League Ice Hockey visit at Kose Ice Rink in Shin-Yokohama, Japan, on April 4 and 5.
Lee Chong-min scored three goals and Ahn Jin-hwi scored two goals to lead the offense in both games.
With the victories, Anyang maintained second place with a 9-3-1 record and 28 points, keeping them within striking distance of leader Red Eagles Hokkaido (10-2-1, 30 points).
HL Anyang lost five players to injury, including Kim Won-jun, Nam Hee-doo, Oh In-gyo (defense), Lee Ju-hyung, and Kang Min-wan (forwards).
Despite their absence, the team remained focused in each game and continued their six-game winning streak.
On Thursday, rookie forward Lee Chong-min scored the game-winning goal with assists from Lee Young-joon and Lee Don-gu at 3:54 of the first period while on the power play (a numerical advantage due to an opponent penalty).
Lee tied the game at 2-2 at 14:41 of the second period, turning the tide in HL Anyang’s favor.
HL Anyang took the lead early in the third period with back-to-back goals from Jeon Jeong-woo and Kang Yoon-seok, before Lee Don-gu scored an MTN goal (scored with the opponent’s goalie out of the game) to make it 6-3 just before the end.
In game five, it was Ahn Jin-hwi who came through.
With the score tied 2-2, he scored on the power play at 14:07 of the second period with assists from Jeon Jung-woo and Song Hyung-chul.
Lee Chong-min made it 4-2 at 15:13 of the third period and then scored the game-winning goal for a 5-2 victory.
The HL Anyang and Yokohama Griz will play a two-game series at Anyang Ice Rink on Nov. 18 and 19. 파워볼사이트