#WUAlmaty2017: Update Ice Hockey – Day -1

ALMATY – Today, 30 January, a full day of ice hockey competitions in both the men’s and women’s tournaments. A total of five games were played.

Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament

KOR vs RUS

Korea and Russia opened today’s match day in the Halyk Arena. The ‘Red Machine’ was too strong for the Koreans as they ended the game scoreless. Russia opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal via Erofeev. The Russian team played a very offensive game resulting in many shots on goal 73 vs 10. Final Score: 0-14 (0-4; 06; 0-4).

SWE vs CZE

The Czech Team beat the Swedish today. The first period saw only one goal of the Czech with ‘Tre Kronor’ keeping up to the Czech pace of the game. In the second period however, the Czechs widened the gap netting the puck four more times, setting the final score: 0-5 (0-1; 0-4; 0-0).

Olivier HinseUSA vs CAN

It was a genuine classic: a North-American rivalry. Although, played on the other side of the Atlantic. Canada came out strong demonstrating an overpowering offence torpedoing the US net. The numbers clearly prove it: 40 shots on goal vs 17 by the US. The first Canadian goal was netted 30 seconds on the clock in the first period. “It feels great to start the tournament with a win”, Canadian Team Captain Olivier Hinse commented afterwards in the Mixed Zone. “We were well prepared as we came here a week ago. And it showed tonight. We worked 60 minutes and we used every opportunity to put the puck in the net and that was great. We’re gonna go day to day. Every team we will face, we’re going to be prepared for them. We just have to get ready for every game. Our next opponent is Great Britain and we will be prepared for that one.”

On the ice in their respective leagues we are fierce opponents, but here at the Winter Universiade it’s quite different. “Here it took only a couple of minutes and we are all friends. We bound together and we are one family. I’s all about ‘The Leaf’,” Hinse explained.

Women’s Ice Hockey Tournament

CAN vs GBR

The Commonwealth Clash between Canada and Great Britain turned out to be a Canadian avalanche for Team GB. The British defended their goal valiantly but Canada was too strong. Final score: 14-0 (8-0; 5-0; 1-0).

CHN vs KAZ

China beat the host team in the final match of the day. China only managed a first goal in the last minute of the first period. The Chinese scored a quick second goal in the second period. Four minutes later the Kazakhs got back into the game netting their first goal benefiting from a powerplay. Finally, China managed two more goals to end the game with a victory. Final score: 4-1 (1-0; 2-1; 1-0).

C. Pierre, FISU Press Officer