HL Anyang Wins Home Opener Against Japan's Red Eagles Thanks to Kim Sang-yeop's Comeback Goal

HL Anyang secured a dramatic comeback victory in its home opener of the Asia League Ice Hockey season, riding the momentum of a two-game winning streak.

Led by head coach Jim Paek, HL Anyang defeated Red Eagles Hokkaido (Japan) 3-2 in the regular league home opener held at the Anyang Ice Arena in Gyeonggi Province on October 3.

Having returned home with one win following two consecutive losses in their away opening series in Japan, HL Anyang kept the winning streak alive on home ice to build solid momentum.

The start was somewhat shaky.

After a scoreless first period, the team gave up consecutive goals at 9:37 and 16:56 of the second period, falling behind 0-2.

The counterattack began late in the second period.

With 22 seconds left in the second period during a power play (gained due to an opponent's penalty), Kim Sang-wook scored the opening goal by tipping in Joe Morrow's shot right in front of the net.

Gaining momentum, HL Anyang turned the game around in the third period.

At 6:19, Ahn Jin-hui tied the game with a wrist shot off assists from Lee Don-ku and Kim Sang-wook, and at 8:45, Kim Sang-yeop finally struck the comeback winning goal with a sensational wrap-around shot.

Goaltender Lee Yeon-seung recorded 31 saves, firmly protecting the one-goal lead until the final whistle.

Having returned after three years through stints in the U.S. junior league and Croatia, Kim Sang-yeop has emerged as the team's new solver by scoring three goals in four games.

"I am glad to contribute to the team's victory. Although it's a new team, there are many players I played with on the national team, so I had no trouble adapting," Kim Sang-yeop said. "I will continue to inject energy into the team with aggressive play."

HL Anyang will play its 5th regular league game against the Red Eagles at the same venue at 2:00 PM on October 4.

(Photo: Provided by HL Anyang, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.